Texas Senate candidate James Talarico attributes recent campaign absence to flu amid speculation
Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico said a flu illness, not mental-health treatment, kept him off the Texas campaign trail, and he welcomed a debate with Republican opponent Ken Paxton.
Democratic candidate James Talarico explained that 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 suggested he was receiving mental-health treatment at the Lindner Center of Hope in Ohio. The center refuted the claim on social media, stating that Talarico has never been a patient there. Talarico dismissed the rumors, 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, highlighted Talarico’s absence and urged 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 call for a debate in the tightly contested race.