Trump and Paxton Question Talarico's Campaign Presence
Trump and Paxton publicly questioned Talarico's campaign presence during his recent absence.
Event / Politics
Texas Senate Election 2026
Campaign coverage of the 2026 U.S. Senate race in Texas between Democratic nominee James Talarico and Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, including candidate activities and political responses.
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2026-10-10 to 2026-10-29 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 10 Oct, 13:07 UTC
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What happened
Ken Paxton questions Talarico's whereabouts during campaign rally in San Antonio
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Talarico's opponent in the U.S. Senate race, publicly challenged Talarico's absence from the campaign trail during a campaign rally in San Antonio, asking 'Where is James Talarico?' to highlight his opponent's extended absence from in-person campaigning.
Talarico's campaign disputes length of campaign absence, citing virtual appearance
Talarico's campaign disputed characterizations of nearly two weeks of absence from the campaign trail, arguing that because the candidate attended a virtual Zoom meeting with the U.S. Hispanic Business Council on September 30 (after canceling an in-person event), his absence from in-person events was closer to nine days rather than twelve.
Talarico plans full in-person campaign schedule through weekend and CNN town hall
Talarico's campaign confirmed that the candidate expects to resume a full in-person campaign schedule through the weekend following his return to public campaigning. The campaign also noted an upcoming CNN town hall scheduled for October 14.
Talarico's campaign attributes absence to severe flu diagnosis
Talarico's campaign stated that the candidate had been sidelined by a severe case of the flu. The campaign said Talarico was diagnosed with flu on September 29, after attending a fundraiser in New York City on September 28 and a virtual Zoom meeting with the U.S. Hispanic Business Council on September 30.
President Trump criticizes Talarico's absence on Truth Social
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social criticizing Talarico's campaign absence, describing the candidate as 'MISSING IN ACTION' and referring to him as 'TalaFREAKo.' Trump questioned the duration of flu symptoms, writing 'TalaFREAKo has been missing for 12 days' and stating that the U.S. needs a proven champion senator like Ken Paxton, describing Paxton as 'the Greatest Attorney General in the History of Texas.'
James Talarico reappears at Austin City Limits Music Festival after two-week campaign absence
Texas Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico returned to public campaigning on Friday at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin after an absence of approximately two weeks from in-person campaign events. His last in-person campaign event had been a September 26 news conference in Carrollton addressing rising gas prices.
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2 alternative perspectives
Talarico Returns to Campaign Trail After Two-Week Health Absence
Talarico resumes campaigning after two-week health-related absence with full schedule planned.