Talarico Blames Flu for Absence as Paxton Demands Answers

Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico returned to public campaign events over the weekend after an illness kept him away from in-person appearances for weeks. Speaking to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth on Sunday, October 11, he attributed his absence to influenza, rejected online speculation about his health and challenged Republican opponent Ken Paxton to agree to a debate.

Talarico's last in-person campaign event before his return was on September 26, according to NBC News. He appeared virtually at a September 30 event for the United States Hispanic Business Council, explaining that he was unwell. He subsequently said he visited an urgent care facility in Dallas after developing flu symptoms.

During his recovery, Talarico continued working remotely and meeting with campaign staff through video calls. He returned to public appearances on Friday, including an appearance at the Austin City Limits music festival, and attended a Kacey Musgraves concert in Dallas on Saturday, according to CNN.

Explaining why he had stayed away from public events, Talarico told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth,

"I was in bed, drinking lots of liquids. Unfortunately, the campaign made me work from home, so I didn’t even get full days off. But I didn’t want to be out on the trail, and I didn’t want to get anyone else sick.

It’s important, I think, for leaders to be responsible in these moments. And I’m glad to be back. I’m feeling much better," Talarico said.

He also addressed online claims suggesting that his absence had another explanation, including an allegation that he was receiving treatment for a stress-related condition at the Lindner Center of Hope in Ohio.

"The internet’s doing its thing," Talarico said.

Rejecting the allegation directly, he told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth,

"That’s not true. I just had the flu, and I feel much better. But it’s a good reminder that you can’t believe everything you read on the internet," Talarico said.

In his separate interview with MS NOW, Talarico criticized the circulation of unverified claims and the attention they received.

"I had the flu. This is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. It’s wild that someone can just post something on the internet and then the media just runs with it," Talarico said.

The Lindner Center of Hope also publicly rejected the claim, stating on social media,

"Representative James Talarico has never received treatment from Lindner Center of Hope," the institution said.

The speculation developed as Republicans focused on Talarico's absence during the final stretch of a closely contested Senate campaign. Paxton's campaign published social media posts describing the Democrat as "nowhere to be seen." President Donald Trump also called Talarico "MISSING IN ACTION" in a Truth Social post, while Paxton sought public evidence that his opponent was active.

Paxton called for Talarico to provide "proof of life," including a photograph showing the candidate alongside a newspaper displaying the date. At a rally in San Antonio on Wednesday, Trump highlighted Talarico's absence and urged him to debate Paxton.

Talarico agreed with Trump's call for a debate, arguing that the Republican attorney general had not responded to invitations despite pressure from several organizations and public figures.

"I agree with President Trump. I think Ken Paxton should debate. The president’s saying he should debate.

Fox News has said he should debate. The people of Texas have said he should debate, and I think it’s mysterious that Ken Paxton hasn’t responded to a request for a debate in 85 days," Talarico said.

Turning Paxton's demand for evidence back on his opponent, Talarico added,

"Ken Paxton has asked for proof of life for me. I’m asking for proof of spine from him," Talarico said.

During his MS NOW interview, Talarico also mocked Paxton over the debate dispute, joking about the Republican's health and willingness to participate.

"I’ve heard credible reports that Ken Paxton has a serious medical condition that causes clinical levels of cowardice," Talarico said.

He characterized the broader political reaction to his absence as "silly season in our politics." Meanwhile, the campaign controversy continued despite his return to public events.

Paxton remained skeptical of Talarico's explanation during a Sunday evening interview with Fox News, saying,

"I don’t know whether to believe him about the flu or not, I just know that … almost everything that he says has been false since the beginning of this campaign," Paxton said.

Paxton's campaign had also drawn attention to Talarico's whereabouts with a rally chant asking, "Where is James Talarico" during an event in San Antonio. The Republican's criticism continued after the Democrat resumed public appearances.

No Senate debate between the candidates had been scheduled as of October 12, according to NBC News. Talarico had accepted invitations from multiple media outlets, while Paxton had not agreed to the proposed debates. CNN and Jubilee Media scheduled a town hall featuring Talarico for Wednesday evening in Fort Worth, moderated by Erin Burnett, and extended an invitation to Paxton as well.