James Talarico resurfaces after extended absence as his campaign pushes back

Texas Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico reappeared on the campaign trail Friday after a nearly two-week absence, ending days of speculation and criticism from political opponents regarding his whereabouts.

"Hate to disappoint the conspiracy theorists, but James is still alive and meeting with voters at ACL today," Talarico's primary spokesperson, JT Ennis, wrote on X.

The post included a video of the candidate walking through crowds and greeting supporters at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

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Talarico, who is challenging Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a closely watched U.S. Senate contest, had not been seen publicly in person at a campaign event since late September. His last in-person event was a Sept. 26 news conference in Carrollton addressing rising gas prices.

Talarico's campaign attributed the absence to a severe case of the flu. However, the prolonged pause drew sharp criticism from Republicans, including President Donald Trump.

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In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the Democrat was "MISSING IN ACTION."

"TalaFREAKo has been missing for 12 days! Now, after looking for him throughout all of Texas, and beyond, probably even weirder places than anyone would think possible, he put out a statement that he has the 'flu,'" Trump wrote.

"12 days is a long time to rid yourself of the so-called flu bug. What's going on?" he added. "We need a Senator that's a proven Champion like one that has been, without question, the Greatest Attorney General in the History of Texas, and one of the Greatest in the U.S.A."

Talarico's campaign pushed back on the characterization that he had been absent from the campaign trail for nearly two weeks, saying he attended a Zoom on Sept. 30 with the U.S. Hispanic Business Council after canceling an in-person event. The campaign argued that because he attended that Zoom, his absence was closer to nine days.

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Talarico's last public event was a Sept. 26 campaign event in Texas, where he held a news conference in Carrollton. On Sept. 28, he attended a fundraiser in New York City.

The next day, he said he'd been diagnosed with the flu.

Talarico's absence also prompted Paxton to target his opponent's absence while on the campaign trail.

"Where is James Talarico?" Paxton asked during a campaign rally in San Antonio.

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Talarico's campaign confirmed he expects to return to a full in-person schedule through the weekend ahead of an Oct. 14 CNN town hall.

The campaign previously noted that, prior to his illness, Talarico had already completed more than 100 public campaign events across the state.