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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Ken Paxton calls out James Talarico's 11-day absence at Trump rally, prompting response from campaign

Talarico’s campaign said he had the flu and expected him to return to campaigning that weekend.

Ken Paxton calls out James Talarico's 11-day absence at Trump rally, prompting response from campaign
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This article1 analysis · Oct 8, 2026
Fox News
Oct 7, 2026
tl;dr

At a San Antonio rally, Ken Paxton highlighted James Talarico’s 11-day absence from the campaign trail; Talarico’s campaign said he had the flu and would return that weekend. Donald Trump also criticized Talarico while urging support for Paxton.

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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 Senate candidate whose campaign explained his absence from the trail

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who campaigned for Paxton and criticized Talarico at the rally

Trump's version of this story ↗
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate who criticized his opponent’s campaign absence

Paxton's version of this story ↗

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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