President Donald Trump called for a debate in the race for Senate in Texas, where Democrat James Talarico has been gaining ground against Republican Ken Paxton and could prompt the historically red state to go blue for the first time in decades.
Trump said Talarico, a state representative, "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.
Talarico has been absent from the campaign trail for more than a week, prompting new attacks from Trump and other Paxton supporters who question his absence. "Where are they hiding that little socialist?" Paxton asked on social media.
Talarico later said he had the flu.
"President Trump just said Ken Paxton should debate," Talarico wrote on social media in response to Trump's post. "I agree. Ball’s in your court @KenPaxtonTX."
Talarico previously published a video showing him leaving a voicemail for Paxton to invite him to debate on Fox News. At the time, he said Paxton "keeps dodging debates."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump calls for debate in close race for Senate in Texas
