Political People and their Moves

Ray Martinez and Jason Smith are joining the Cross Oaks Group, a lobby shop founded by Jim Dow and former Rep. Mark Homer. Martinez was most recently chief of staff to Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo. Smith is a lobbyist and political consultant who worked in the House and also on Gov. Rick Perry’s presidential campaign. 

Former Rep. Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg, is joining Austin-based Crosswind Media and Public Relations. He was first elected to the House in 2002 and didn’t seek reelection this year. 

Spencer Yendell will be the new communications director at the Republican Party of Texas, replacing Chris Elam, who is leaving to work on Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson’s 2014 bid for lieutenant governor. Yendell was most recently a spokesman for U.S. Rep. Francisco Canseco, R-San Antonio.

The federal complex in Midland has a new name, honoring the last two presidents from Texas as well as a former congressman. It’s a mouthful: the “George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush United States Courthouse and George Mahon Federal Building.”