James Talarico returns from flu and outlines policy at Texas town hall
Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico outlined his support for a public health option, an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy and backing for Ukraine during a town-hall event in Texas, CNN reported. Earlier in the campaign, Talarico missed about two weeks of in-person events after contracting the flu, a period that Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and President Donald Trump used to question his campaign activity, according to CNN. NBC News noted that the hiatus drew criticism from Paxton and mixed reactions from party officials.
He later reappeared at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, a comeback confirmed by his campaign and reported by CBS News and USA Today. In a later interview, Talarico said the absence was due to influenza and dismissed speculation about alternative treatments, per CNN. Security-camera footage released by his campaign showed he was at his Austin home while recovering, CBS News reported, countering rumors that he had traveled out of state for treatment.
