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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Ken Paxton Trolls Talarico with 'Missing' Posters After 12-Day Flu Absence

Talarico disclosed that he had the flu, said he would return to campaigning, and challenged Paxton to debate.

Ken Paxton Trolls Talarico with 'Missing' Posters After 12-Day Flu Absence
Image · Newsweek

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Outlet credibilityNewsweek75/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
Newsweek
Oct 8, 2026
tl;dr

Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign circulated missing-person-style posters targeting James Talarico, who had been away from in-person events after contracting the flu. The article also details attacks from Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, Paxton’s lack of agreement to debate, and polling that shows a close Texas Senate race.

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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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Texas Senate candidate targeted over his illness-related absence and seeking a debate with Paxton.

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas Senate candidate whose campaign publicized missing-person-style posters targeting his opponent.

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

President who repeated attacks on Talarico at a rally and on social media.

Trump's version of this story ↗
Ted Cruz
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator who shared a meme targeting Talarico and has criticized his campaign.

Sherrod Brown
Former U.S. Senator (D-OH)

Ohio Senate nominee who shared a fundraiser with Talarico.

Beto O'Rourke
Former U.S. Representative (D-TX)

Former Texas Senate candidate used as a comparison for Talarico’s polling.

John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator who lost the Republican runoff to Paxton.

ALSO MENTIONED  Greg Abbott, Texas governor who hosted a radio show on which Cruz called in.

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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