In an unexpected move, Tom Knox, one of Philadelphia’s Democratic candidates for mayor in 2015, has hired Brabender Cox to provide strategic communications.

Brabender Cox has worked on Gov. Tom Corbett’s campaign and former Sen. Rick Santorum’s campaign for president.

Led by John Brabender, the firm has worked on more than 200 campaigns across the country in campaigns up and down the ballot.

Knox said in a release that Brabender Cox’s addition to his team compliments his conservative Democratic principles.

“I am extremely pleased that Brabender Cox has agreed to join our campaign team,” Knox said. “John Brabender is one of the most respected, experienced and successful political campaign strategists in the country. John and his team will be closely involved with every aspect of our campaign for mayor. It’s great to have them on-board.”

Brabender said in the release that Knox’s socially liberal and fiscally conservative policies were a good fit for the firm.

“My own political leanings are moderate,” Brabender said. “What attracted our firm to Tom Knox’s candidacy was his somewhat rare combination of being socially liberal, yet fiscally responsible. Those are the characteristics that Philadelphia needs in its next leader.”

Knox ran for Philadelphia mayor in 2007, but lost to current mayor, Michael Nutter in the Democratic primary. He ran for Pa. Governor in 2010 but withdrew, and briefly floated another bid in 2014.

Prior to his 2007 run, Knox worked under then-mayor Ed Rendell as Deputy Mayor for Management and Productivity.

Knox is the first declared candidate in the 2015 mayoral race. Other likely candidates include city Controller Alan Butkovitz, City Councilman Bill Green, state Sen. Tony Williams and others.