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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Ken Paxton's Campaign Demands James Talarico Show 'Proof of Life' After 12-Day Absence

Talarico’s campaign said he had the flu and would return to the campaign trail that weekend.

Ken Paxton's Campaign Demands James Talarico Show 'Proof of Life' After 12-Day Absence
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This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
Breitbart
Oct 8, 2026
tl;dr

Ken Paxton’s campaign and Paxton himself criticized James Talarico’s 12-day absence from the campaign trail, with Paxton sharing a “Wanted” image and leading a rally chant. Talarico’s campaign said he had the flu and planned to return to campaigning that weekend.

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This story reports what happened without casting Talarico in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Talarico’s record.

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Democratic U.S. Senate candidate whose flu-related absence prompted Paxton’s criticism

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas attorney general and Republican U.S. Senate candidate who criticized his opponent’s absence

Paxton's version of this story ↗
ALSO MENTIONED  JT Ennis, Talarico campaign spokesperson

Part of a bigger story

12 OUTLETS
James Talarico Returns to Campaigning After Flu-Related Absence

James Talarico’s campaign said he was away from in-person campaigning while recovering from the flu. He later returned with an appearance at Austin City Limits. Left-leaning outlets frame the absence as a late campaign challenge. Center outlets largely give a matter-of-fact account of the flu absence and return, alongside criticism from Ken Paxton and Donald Trump. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Paxton’s attacks and campaign taunts over the absence.

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