Texas Senate candidate James Talarico says flu, not right-wing speculation, kept him off the trail
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Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico said a flu illness, not mental-health treatment, forced him to briefly step away from the Texas campaign trail, and he welcomed a debate with Republican opponent Ken Paxton as attacks and rumors swirled.
Democratic candidate James Talarico said a “nasty case of the flu” forced him to pause his Texas Senate campaign in late September. He told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth that he stayed in bed, drank fluids and worked from home to avoid spreading illness, adding that he felt “much better” after returning to the trail on Friday.
During his absence, some conservative commentators pushed a baseless claim that he was receiving mental-health treatment at the Lindner Center of Hope in Ohio. The center rejected the allegation on social media, saying that Talarico has never been a patient there. Talarico brushed off the rumor mill, saying, "The internet’s doing its thing. 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."
Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, Talarico’s opponent, demanded a “proof of life” photo, while President Donald Trump, campaigning for Paxton in San Antonio, seized on Talarico’s absence and pushed for a debate. Talarico responded, "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."
He added, "Ken Paxton has asked for proof of life for me. I’m asking for proof of spine from him," underscoring the ongoing demand for a debate in the tightly contested race.