One of the founders of the GOP opposition research firm America Rising is joining the growing presidential campaign team of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.
Joe Pounder, who was involved with Rubio's 2010 run for the Senate, will be on the communication staff for the campaign, according to
the New York Times.
Matt Rhoades, chairman of the group formed in 2013 to track Democratic candidates to "ensure they are held accountable," said America Rising remains neutral in the presidential primary contest.
The Rubio campaign has more than 70 full-time staff members, an increase of about 30 percent since Oct. 1, the Times reports.
Rubio is running third in the GOP primary field
in a national polling average, with 11 percent support, behind Ben Carson, with 24.8 percent, and Donald Trump, with 24.6 percent.