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Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican, said Thursday that hes bringing on a veteran of Sen. Ted Cruzs 2012 campaign to serve as a strategist one of the latest steps in the frenetic jockeying for staffers among the possible 2016 GOP presidential contenders and is also opening a digital engagement office in Austin, Texas.

Mr. Paul announced the hiring of Rachel Kania, state field director during Mr. Cruzs 2012 Senate campaign, as a senior field and technology strategist. Former Republican Party of Texas chairman Steve Munisteri recently stepped down from that post to join Mr. Pauls RANDPAC as a senior adviser.

Team Rand will be the most technologically-savvy campaign in the field and his message will inspire and widen the GOP base unlike any other candidate, Ms. Kania said.

The Washington Times reported earlier this week that Brian Phillips is leaving his job as communications director for Sen. Mike Lee of Utah to serve as an adviser for Mr. Cruzs Jobs Growth and Freedom Fund. And the Texas Tribune reported that Catherine Frazier, Mr. Cruzs Capitol Hill spokeswoman, is also heading to work for the Texas Republicans political action committee ahead of his possible 2016 presidential campaign.

The new office opening is scheduled for Monday a day after Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith is scheduled to interview Mr. Paul at the SXSW conference, an eclectic annual music and film pilgrimage that this year is scheduled to include an appearance by Snoop Dogg, among others.

Senator Rand Paul will run the most innovative, tech-forward operation of any elected official in the country, said Vincent Harris, a digital strategist for Mr. Pauls political operation who also used to work for Mr. Cruz. This will be a crowd-sourced campaign that places an emphasis on creativity and innovation.

The tech oriented office will be housed in the Capital Factory complex; Mr. Cruz spoke at Capital Factory in November to warn about the dangers of the federal governments planned net neutrality regulations.

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Rand Paul brings on another past Cruz staffer, will open tech office in Austin