rory cooperRory Cooper, communications director for ousted House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, has landed at Purple Strategies in Alexandria, Va., as a managing director.

Cooper was director of strategic communications for the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation before joining Cantor's office in September 2012.

Purple is the PR and PA firm set up by former GOP advisor Alex Castellanos and Democratic media strategist Steve McMahon.

Cooper served several posts during the George W. Bush administration, including senior policy advisor at the Dept. of Energy and associate director of intergovernmental affairs at the Dept. of Homeland Security, and directed NASA's division of outreach and IG affair.

Cantor resigned his House seat effective Aug. 18 after a surprise primary loss in June.