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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Talarico's 12-day absence from trail becomes fodder for GOP in Texas Senate race

Talarico’s campaign said he was recovering from the flu as Republicans questioned his absence from the trail.

Talarico's 12-day absence from trail becomes fodder for GOP in Texas Senate race
Image · CNN International

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Outlet credibilityCNN International84/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
tl;dr

James Talarico’s 12-day absence from the Texas Senate campaign trail, which his campaign attributed to the flu, has become a line of attack for Ken Paxton and Donald Trump. Paxton has continued campaigning as the candidates approach Election Day.

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VOTING CLOSED
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No good or bad look here

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 Senate candidate whose absence from the campaign trail became a Republican talking point

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate whose campaign made Talarico’s absence a line of attack

Paxton's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who criticized Talarico’s absence and called for a debate with Paxton

John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Senator whose seat is being contested

Part of a bigger story

15 OUTLETS
Political Group Sends Race-Related Texts Targeting James Talarico

Two articles report that political texts sent to Texas voters ask whether they are white, target James Talarico over a past comment, and direct voters to an attack website. Center outlets mostly describe the texts and their content, while one article instead examines Talarico’s polling lead and uncertainty about turnout.

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