Democrat Senate Candidate James Talarico Resurfaces at Austin City Limits After Mysterious Absence
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James Talarico, running for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat, finally appeared at Austin City Limits on Friday after disappearing from the campaign trail for nine days, citing the flu as the reason, according to his campaign.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico was finally spotted interacting with voters at Austin City Limits on Friday afternoon, ending a nine-day stretch with no in-person campaign events. His campaign confirmed his presence at the festival, and a video posted on X by a Texas Monthly contributor showed him shaking hands and taking photographs with attendees, attempting to reassure supporters after his unexplained absence.
Earlier that day, the campaign claimed that Talarico had been battling the flu and would resume campaigning over the weekend. The candidate had not made a public appearance since a September 26 event in Carrollton and a subsequent State Fair visit, which led to speculation on social media about his whereabouts and fitness for office.
On September 30, Talarico was scheduled for an in-person interview in Edinburg but instead participated virtually, citing his illness. "I was starting to feel under the weather a few days ago, and last night, it got so bad that I went to the urgent care in Dallas, and I was diagnosed with the flu," he said. "So, I'm running a fever and at my most contagious right now." The lack of transparency and last-minute changes have raised questions about his reliability and readiness for higher office.
Republican leaders, including President Donald Trump and Senate candidate Ken Paxton, highlighted his absence during a rally in San Antonio, pointing to the lack of leadership from the Democratic contender. The flu diagnosis comes just as early voting for the Senate race is set to begin on October 19. Talarico is expected to attend a fundraiser in Dallas on Sunday evening, as the campaign tries to regain momentum after his unexplained hiatus.