In a recent rally in San Antonio, President Donald Trump and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton targeted Democratic candidate James Talarico, criticizing his absence from the campaign trail due to a flu diagnosis. Trump went so far as to challenge Talarico to “immediately report to a Debate Stage,” underscoring his absence as a point of contention.
Talarico has been sidelined since late September after he was diagnosed with the flu, as confirmed by his campaign. In a twist, Trump’s comments shifted focus to Paxton, who has yet to accept any invitations for a public debate.
Utilizing the opportunity, Talarico responded on social media, stating, “President Trump just said Ken Paxton should debate. I agree. Ball’s in your court @KenPaxtonTX.” He has previously committed to four debates and has been vocal about Paxton’s reluctance to engage in discussions.
The Austin-based Democrat revealed his illness during a virtual event with the U.S. Hispanic Business Council on September 30. He expressed concern for public safety, stating, “If I was passing on this illness to somebody and got someone’s grandmother or baby sick, I … couldn’t live with myself.” Since that event, he has refrained from public appearances.
JT Ennis, Talarico’s spokesperson, assured that the candidate would resume campaigning soon, with a CNN town hall scheduled for next Wednesday. The race for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat remains fiercely competitive, with Talarico currently holding a slim lead in polls. This election is pivotal for Democrats, who have not secured a statewide victory in Texas for over three decades.
With early voting set to begin on October 19, and Election Day only 26 days away, the stakes are high. During the rally, Paxton led the crowd in chants of “Where is James Talarico?” and questioned, “Where do you think they hid that little socialist?”
Paxton’s campaign has also criticized Talarico for canceling campaign events while attending a fundraiser in New York on September 28. Spokesperson Madison Cercy remarked that Talarico “found the energy to fly to New York and grovel for billionaire checks, but he can’t find the courage to go to the Rio Grande Valley and meet with Hispanic business owners.” This fundraiser occurred just before Talarico’s urgent care visit.
Continuing to capitalize on Talarico’s absence, Paxton’s campaign has even distributed “missing person” posters throughout the state. Trump has incorporated humor into his critique, suggesting that Talarico’s illness is linked to his dietary choices, making light of the situation during his speeches.
“You haven’t seen him in a couple of weeks,” Trump remarked. “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.”
In a post on Truth Social following the rally, Trump labeled Talarico as “MISSING IN ACTION” and urged him to join Paxton on stage for a debate.
In response, Ennis emphasized Talarico’s active campaign, noting he has conducted “more than 100 public events.” He accused Paxton of neglecting the needs of Texans throughout the campaign.
Talarico has accepted four debate invitations from various organizations, including CNN and Hearst, and even challenged Paxton to a debate on Fox News. However, Paxton has not responded to these invitations, despite earlier assurances from his campaign that debates would occur. Historically, Paxton has opted out of debating his opponents during his previous campaigns for attorney general.
As the political landscape in Texas continues to shift, the focus remains on Talarico’s recovery and potential return to the campaign trail, while the pressure mounts for Paxton to engage in direct dialogue with his opponent.
