At a rally in San Antonio, Republican nominee Ken Paxton pressed Democrat James Talarico over what Paxton called an 11-day absence from the Texas Senate campaign trail, repeating chants of “Where is James Talarico?” as the race tightens.
Paxton led the crowd in questioning Talarico’s whereabouts and his campaign put pressure on the Democrat to produce proof of public activity, using the absence as an attack line in a race where the keyword ken paxton james talarico texas senate has been central to recent coverage.
Talarico’s campaign says the state representative has the flu and has been recovering at home; both CNN and NBC report that his last in-person event in Texas was on Sept. 26 and that he appeared virtually at an event on Sept. 30 while describing a fever and urgent-care visit.
News outlets covering the contest note Paxton has amplified the criticism at multiple events, including a stop where former President Donald Trump joined the conversation and echoed calls for Talarico to debate — material that has made ken paxton james talarico texas senate a recurring line in recent rallies.
The Paxton campaign has circulated social posts and mocked “missing” posters; NBC quotes a Paxton spokeswoman saying the campaign wants “proof of life,” while Talarico spokespeople told reporters he contracted the flu after extensive early campaigning and plans to return to in-person events this weekend.
Political context matters: polling coverage this month showed a close contest in Texas, and observers say an 11- to 12-day gap in in-person events can become a talking point for opponents in a race decided by turnout and visibility. The internal polls and reporting that track this dynamic have made ken paxton james talarico texas senate a focus of both parties’ late-season strategy.
The campaigns are trading invitations: Talarico has challenged Paxton to debates and will appear at a CNN town hall on Oct. 14, while Paxton and outside groups have increased advertising and stage appearances in the state as Election Day nears.
Sources
- CNN — reported Paxton leading chants about Talarico’s absence and that Talarico revealed a flu diagnosis during a virtual Hispanic Business Council event.
- NBC News — reported Talarico has been off the trail since Sept. 26, that his campaign says he has the flu, and quoted a Paxton spokeswoman demanding proof of public activity.
Related reading: James Talarico leads in recent Texas Senate polls and Ken Paxton’s legal and political battles, explained.
