Texas Senate candidate missing from campaign trail for two weeks

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 19:31 · Archive

Texas Democrat James Talarico has been absent from public campaigning for nearly two weeks, citing influenza.

James Talarico, a 37-year-old Texas Democrat running for US Senate, has been absent from public campaigning for 12 to 13 days. His campaign states he last attended an in-person public event on 26 or 29 September, depending on the outlet, though he did appear at a virtual Hispanic Business Council forum on 30 September. He was also seen at a private fundraiser in New York City headlined by Robert De Niro on 28 September. The prolonged absence has sparked concern among his supporters and scrutiny from opponents.

Talarico, who has type 1 diabetes, attributes his absence to influenza. However, the extended break during the final stretch before the 3 November election has prompted speculation and criticism. Leaked Slack messages show his volunteer group privately fretting about losing momentum. Some of Talarico's allies have suggested his campaign should provide more health updates. Critics, including allies of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, have questioned whether influenza alone could explain such a lengthy disappearance.

The campaign told outlets that Talarico will reemerge this weekend. He is scheduled to participate in a CNN town hall on 14 October. Talarico is attempting what the Daily Mail describes as a potentially historic upset by turning Texas, traditionally a reliably Republican state, blue.

How it is being reported

• Mystery over Texas Democrat James Talarico's nearly two-week campaign hiatus as his opponents demand 'proof of life' and he cancels eventsIn the final stretch of campaigning before the Nov. 3 election, US Senate candidate James Talarico has been missing from the campaign trial for 13 days, with his staff struggling to say when he'll be back.Daily Mail · 9 Oct, 19:08
• Talarico’s influencer army privately frets about his 12-day absence from campaign trail, leaked Slack messages showTexas Senate hopeful James Talarico's social media influencer army has been privately fretting over his prolonged absence from the campaign trail, leaked Slack messages obtained by The Post reveal.New York Post · 9 Oct, 00:16

In this story: James Talarico · Ken Paxton · Robert De Niro · Texas · CNN

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem