Trump attacks Democrat after Texas candidate's two-week absence

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 16:44 · Archive

President Trump criticised Democratic Texas Senate nominee James Talarico for missing nearly two weeks of campaigning due to flu.

President Trump attacked James Talarico, the Democratic nominee challenging Republican Ken Paxton for the Texas Senate seat, after Talarico spent nearly two weeks away from the campaign trail. Trump called Talarico 'MISSING IN ACTION' in a Wednesday post on Truth Social, dubbing him 'TalaFREAKo'. Trump questioned Talarico's whereabouts and suggested bad rumours were circulating, before calling for a head-to-head debate between Talarico and Paxton.

Talarico cited a flu diagnosis for his absence from campaigning since late September. In response to Trump's post, Talarico agreed with the call for a debate, writing that he was willing to face Paxton and that the ball was in the Republican's court. Talarico had previously challenged Paxton to debate on Fox News.

Republican nominee Ken Paxton also questioned Talarico's absence during a Wednesday rally in San Antonio. The Texas Senate race is described as closely watched and neck-and-neck, despite Texas typically being a strongly Republican state. Trump has repeatedly targeted Talarico during the campaign.

How it is being reported

• Talarico disappearance has Dem volunteers worrying and Trump asking, 'What is going on?'Trump called James Talarico "MISSING IN ACTION" as the Texas Democrat's nearly two-week campaign trail absence sparks concerns about losing momentum.Fox News · 9 Oct, 15:56
• Trump tears into ‘Missing In Action’ James Talarico after Texas candidate diagnosed with fluTrump also rolled out a nickname for the Democratic nominee: ‘James TalaFREAKo’Independent World · 8 Oct, 14:59

In this story: James Talarico · Ken Paxton · Donald Trump · Texas

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