Talarico Misses Campaign Events During Texas Senate Race

Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico has been absent from in-person campaign events for nearly two weeks while recovering from the flu, prompting criticism from Republican opponent Ken Paxton and President Donald Trump during the final stretch of the race.

According to NBC News and Fox News Digital, Talarico last appeared at a public in-person Texas campaign event on Sept. 26 in Carrollton. His campaign said he was diagnosed with the flu after visiting urgent care in Dallas and expected to return to campaigning this weekend.

Talarico, who has Type 1 diabetes, appeared virtually at a Sept. 30 business forum and explained that he was avoiding public events while contagious. His campaign cited more than 100 public events already held during the campaign.

"I guess I've been shaking too many hands on the campaign trail, and so I want to keep everybody safe," said James Talarico, Texas Senate candidate.

The absence has become a political issue in the closely watched Senate contest. Trump and Paxton have questioned why Talarico has not returned to public appearances, while Democratic supporters said they preferred he recover before resuming travel.

"MISSING IN ACTION," said Donald Trump, President of the United States.

Trump later expanded his criticism on Truth Social, questioning the length of Talarico's absence and urging voters to support Paxton instead.

"TalaFREAKo has been missing for 12 days! Now, after looking for him throughout all of Texas, and beyond, probably even weirder places than anyone would think possible, he put out a statement that he has the 'flu.' 12 days is a long time to rid yourself of the so-called flu bug. What’s going on? We need a Senator that’s a proven Champion like one that has been, without question, the Greatest Attorney General in the History of Texas, and one of the Greatest in the U.S.A.," said Donald Trump, President of the United States.

Trump also raised the issue at a San Antonio campaign rally, while Paxton asked supporters about his opponent's whereabouts.

"Where is James Talarico?" said Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General and Senate candidate.

Paxton's campaign also criticized Talarico's absence and called for additional confirmation of his condition.

"We have a simple request: proof of life. James Talarico wants to represent 31 million Texans in the U.S. Senate, but for 12 days, he’s hidden from every one of them.

There’s a reason they call it ‘Texas Tough,’ and it’s not because Texans hide at the first sign of trouble. If James Talarico is too fragile to face Texans, he has no business asking for their vote," said Madison Cercy, Paxton campaign spokeswoman.

Trump continued pressing Talarico to appear publicly and debate Paxton, while the Talarico campaign said the candidate remained active through advertising and other campaign efforts.

"You haven’t seen him in a couple of weeks," said Donald Trump, President of the United States.

At the same rally, Trump also questioned Talarico's condition while discussing his absence from the campaign trail.

"I hear the guy has disappeared. Nobody knows. You know where he is? He’s sick, because he’s forced to eat meat for political reasons and he’s throwing up all over the place," said Donald Trump, President of the United States.

The Talarico campaign responded to Trump's debate comments through social media, pointing back to previous calls for Paxton to participate.

"He should immediately report to a Debate Stage against Ken Paxton, who is ready, willing, and able, one of the best Attorney Generals in the Country, and will soon be, hopefully, a United States Senator representing the Great People of Texas!" said Donald Trump, President of the United States.

"President Trump just said Ken Paxton should debate," said James Talarico, Texas Senate candidate.

Talarico's spokesperson JT Ennis defended the candidate and criticized Paxton's campaign priorities during the dispute.

"Ken Paxton has been ignoring Texans this entire campaign, and his priorities are clear: he doesn’t answer to the people of this state — he answers to his billionaire megadonors and special interests," said JT Ennis, Talarico campaign spokesperson.

Some Talarico volunteers expressed concern about maintaining momentum while the candidate was away from public events. Messages from a private volunteer channel were reported by the New York Post.

"I think it’ll be fine. It’s just conservatives blasting him. I’m just worried about him losing momentum," said a Talarico campaign volunteer.

The same volunteer group discussed expectations that Talarico would return for a scheduled CNN town hall.

"But I 100% expect him to make a comeback at the CNN town hall that’s a given," said a Talarico campaign volunteer.

Another volunteer said the criticism was not widely shared among supporters.

"It’s a buncha people that don’t actually want him to be out touring that are causing a stink. No one’s genuinely upset," said a Talarico campaign volunteer.

Democratic strategist Ed Espinoza said the timing was not ideal but argued that recovery before the election was preferable. He also noted that Talarico remained visible through campaign advertising.

"I would much rather have my candidate rested and have any ailments out of the way now than down the stretch, because if they’re sick two weeks before the election, they’re still going to be on the road which means it’s only going to get worse. So let them heal up and get their strength back," said Ed Espinoza, Texas-based Democratic strategist.

Espinoza added that Talarico's campaign continued communicating with voters despite his absence from physical events.

"Even though Talarico’s off the trail, he’s still on the airwaves," said Ed Espinoza, Texas-based Democratic strategist.

Talarico's campaign said he was expected to return ahead of a publicly scheduled CNN town hall on Oct. 14.