Sen. Cruz Announces New Communications Staff

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today announced new staff roles and hires in his U.S. Senate press office. He has named Rachael Slobodien communications director and Heidi Watson media booker and press assistant. He recently promoted Phil Novack to Press Secretary. Following is brief background:  

Rachael Slobodien, Communications Director: Slobodien previously worked at The Heritage Foundation as manager of media affairs where she led the regional communications team and crafted messaging and strategy for Heritage’s Institute for Economic Freedom and Opportunity. Slobodien began her career at Heritage as executive assistant to the vice president of communications. She then went to Capitol Hill to be scheduler/office manager to Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wis.); she later became press secretary to then-Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-Wyo.). Prior to returning to Heritage as a senior media associate in 2010, Slobodien served as communications manager at the National Taxpayers Union. A native of Little Rock, Ark., Slobodien holds a bachelor of arts degree in politics and religion from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., where she graduated cum laude. Slobodien is currently an evening law student at George Washington Law School, where she serves as Editor-in-Chief of The Federal Communications Law Journal. 

Phil Novack, Press Secretary: Novack joined Sen. Cruz’s staff in October 2014 as deputy press secretary. Prior to that, he worked at Salesforce in San Francisco, where he led communications for the company’s public sector business and several of its fastest-growing apps. He previously led global communications for Mindjet and began his Silicon Valley career at Sparkpr. Novack served on the communications staff of 2006 Michigan gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos and began his political career working for former Michigan Gov. John Engler. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Princeton University and is a native of Warren, Mich.

Heidi Watson, Media Booker and Press Assistant: Watson most recently worked as press assistant for the House Committee on Small Business, where she led social media efforts and contributed to graphic design and messaging under Chairman Steve Chabot (R-Ohio). Having moved to Washington, D.C. from Oklahoma in January 2015, she first interned for Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.). Prior to working on the Hill, her experience includes serving as constituent services manager and assistant appointments director for former Oklahoma Speaker of the House T.W. Shannon. She also worked as campaign assistant during Shannon’s bid for the U.S. Senate in 2014. Watson earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and is a native of Ardmore, Okla.

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