President Donald Trump called for a debate in Texas's U.S. Senate race with early voting beginning Oct. 19, a little over a week away.
Trump said on social media that Democrat nominee James Talarico "should immediately report to a debate stage against Ken Paxton, who is ready, willing, and able." Trump referred to Talarico by the nickname "Talafreako," which the Democrat's campaign is now putting on T-shirts for supporters.
Recent October polling from Fox News and The New York Times also showed Talarico leading Paxton 51% to 46% in the Times poll, while the Fox News poll put him up 51% to 49%, within the margin of error.
Trump also attacked Talarico for being absent from the campaign trail for more than a week, prompting Trump to question his absence.
"Where are they hiding that little socialist?" Paxton asked on social media. Talarico later said he had the flu.
Talarico quickly responded to Trump's call for a debate, saying on social media, "I agree. Ball’s in your court @KenPaxtonTX."
Talarico previously posted a video of himself leaving Paxton a voicemail, inviting him to debate on Fox News. At the time, he said Paxton "keeps dodging debates."
Where the Texas Senate race stands in the polls.
Here's what September and October polls showed:
- The New York Times (Oct. 3) — Talarico 51%, Paxton 45%.
- Fox News(Oct. 1) — Talarico 51%, Paxton 49%.
- Big Data Poll (Sept. 27) — Talarico 47%, Paxton 45%.
- Marist Poll(Sept. 23) — Talarico 50%, Paxton 44%.
- Texas Southern University (Sept. 22) — Talarico 47%, Paxton 46%.
- ReconMR Texas Poll (Sept. 17) — Talarico 49%, Paxton 43%.
- Emerson College (Sept. 17) — Talarico 47%, Paxton 46%.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas, based in Austin. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
USA TODAY reporter Erin Mansfield contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Trump pushes for a Paxton-Talarico debate in Texas Senate race
