The bitter fight for a Texas Senate seat, which Democrats believe is within reach for the first time in decades, is expected to heat up now.
But in the final push, just as campaigns think most voters are finally listening, Democratic state Rep. James Talarico has been barred from in-person events in the state for 12 days.
His campaign says he is suffering from the flu and is expected to return to action this weekend.
Although he appeared virtually at a forum, Talarico’s last in-person event in the state was on September 26. He traveled to New York on September 29 for a private fundraiser and, according to virtual remarks he made to the Hispanic Business Council the next day, returned to Dallas and checked himself into urgent care.
All of this prompted a flood of arguments from his opponent, Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose campaign is calling on Talarico to produce a photo of himself with a newspaper showing today’s date.
“We have a simple request: proof of life,” Paxton campaign spokeswoman Madison Cercy said. “James Talarico wants to represent 31 million Texans in the U.S. Senate, but for 12 days he’s hidden from every single one of them. There’s a reason they call it ‘Texas Tough,’ and it’s not because Texans hide at the first sign of trouble. If James Talarico is too fragile to take on Texans, he doesn’t have to ask for their vote.”
Even if some Texas Democrats ignore it, there is some consternation about it.
“He’s really sick. Believe me, we don’t want that right now,” said a Texas Democrat involved in Talarico’s race. “We would rather have him on the track.”
Talarico’s absence is undoubtedly an obstacle for Democrats who believe his best asset is connecting in person with potential voters. It also represents a turnaround for Talarico, who had been visible from the early days of the campaign while Paxton was off the track.
“After hosting more than 100 public events and shaking tens of thousands of hands, James came down with the flu but will be back on the track this weekend,” Talarico spokesman JT Ennis said in a statement. “Ken Paxton ignored Texans throughout the campaign, and his priorities are clear: He doesn’t answer to the citizens of this state, he answers to his billionaire megadonors and special interests.”
Democratic political strategist Ed Espinoza said some supporters he spoke to noted his absence from in-person campaign events and lamented that they wanted to make sure other people saw enough of him.
Espinoza, however, said he didn’t think it would be a problem.
“Look, he’s got about $80 million in ads right now. So I think that’s a pretty good scale for him right now,” Espinoza said. “He may be recovering at home, but he’s still everywhere.”
Espinoza said he would rather Talarico be off the trail and recovering now than be further embarrassed as the election approaches.
Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder said Paxton “took a little break” with Talarico’s absence.
“It’s definitely not ideal, but we want to make sure he’s doing everything right to make sure he’s healthy and ready to go. We’re in the home stretch, and it looks like he’s on the mend, and that’s great news,” Scudder said. “He’s a phenomenal candidate, he’s worked really hard for a long time and everyone gets sick from time to time.”
To Talarico’s great luck, there were many distractions. A steady stream of damaging audio in which Paxton claims that Trump’s midterm convention was unhelpful or that cuts to “mandatory spending” were inevitable has attracted public attention.
At the same time, Paxton and Trump both criticized Talarico for straying from the track.
“You haven’t seen him in a few weeks,” Trump said at a rally Wednesday in San Antonio. “I heard this guy is missing. Nobody knows. Do you know where he is? He’s sick, because he’s forced to eat meat for political reasons and he’s vomiting everywhere.”
After the rally, Trump posted on social media a request that Talarico appear in person to debate Paxton.
“He should immediately enter the debate against Ken Paxton, who is ready, willing and able, one of the best attorneys general in the country, and who will hopefully soon be a United States Senator representing the great people of Texas! Trump said in a Truth Social article.
It was a twist, considering Talarico repeatedly called Paxton to debate. Although he is not yet on the track, Talarico responded on social media:
“President Trump just said Ken Paxton should debate,” Talarico wrote. “I agree. The ball is in your court @KenPaxtonTX.”
Gn headline
