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◆ Mixed look for PaxtonElections / Campaigns

Talarico steps off Texas Senate campaign trail after flu diagnosis

Paxton launched attack ads about Talarico’s absence while campaigning against him for the Senate seat.

Talarico steps off Texas Senate campaign trail after flu diagnosis
Image · The Hill

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This article1 analysis · Oct 7, 2026
The Hill
Oct 7, 2026
tl;dr

Texas Senate candidate James Talarico paused in-person campaigning after a flu diagnosis, while opponent Ken Paxton launched ads criticizing his absence. Talarico’s campaign said he would return soon, and a polling average showed him leading by three points.

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Ken Paxton R · TX
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Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas attorney general and Republican Senate candidate who launched ads criticizing Talarico’s absence

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Texas Democratic Senate candidate who paused in-person campaigning after being diagnosed with the flu

Talarico's version of this story ↗
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator and former Republican primary opponent of Paxton

Part of a bigger story

17 OUTLETS
Ken Paxton Criticizes James Talarico Over Campaign Absence

Ken Paxton criticized James Talarico over his absence from in-person campaign events; Talarico’s campaign attributed the absence to flu. Center outlets often pair the criticism with Paxton’s unanswered or unaccepted debate invitations. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Paxton and Trump’s public pressure and mockery over Talarico’s absence.

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