James Talarico's nearly two-week absence from the campaign trail has fueled speculation on social media and drawn attacks from President Donald Trump and Republican opponent Ken Paxton, raising questions about the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate's whereabouts.
Talarico has not held an in-person campaign event in the state since Sept. 26. His campaign says he has been recovering from the flu and is expected to return to the campaign trail this weekend, reported NBC News.
USA TODAY has independently reached out to Talarico's campaign for additional information about his recovery and upcoming campaign appearances but has not received a response.
Is Talarico sick? Does he have the flu?
Talarico has been away from in-person campaign events in Texas for nearly two weeks as he recovers from the
flu, according to his campaign, NBC News reported.
His last in-person campaign event in Texas was Sept. 26, then he traveled to New York for a private fundraiser on Sept. 29. The following day, Talarico appeared virtually before the United States Hispanic Business Council, telling attendees that he had returned to Dallas and sought treatment at an urgent care facility.
Despite his absence from in-person campaigning, Talarico appears to be active on social media, even responding to Trump's request for a debate with Paxton in an Oct. 7 post on X.
"Ball's in your court Ken Paxton," Talarico wrote.
President Trump just said Ken Paxton should debate.
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) October 8, 2026
I agree.
Ball’s in your court @KenPaxtonTX. https://t.co/AxF0a0caRb
His campaign told NBC News that he is expected to resume campaigning this weekend, although specific appearances and locations have not been announced.
No debate between Talarico and Paxton has been scheduled.
Paxton is requesting doctor's note
Paxton has seized on Talarico's absence, repeatedly questioning where his Democratic opponent has been and sharing a social media post demanding "proof of life."
Jimmy appears to be having a full-blown mental Tala-freak-out on the national stage.
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) October 8, 2026
My campaign has a simple request: proof of life. pic.twitter.com/pzCXWmpbdN
In a new statement released Friday, Oct. 9, the Paxton campaign is requesting a doctor’s note from the Dallas urgent care he allegedly visited, a video of James Talarico holding a newspaper with the date, and the flight he took home from his New York fundraiser.
"Nearly 24 hours after the Paxton campaign formally requested proof of life, James Talarico has produced nothing. No video. No flight record. No doctor’s note. With 25 days until Election Day and early voting set to begin October 19, Texans are still asking one simple question: Where’s Jimmy?" the statement said.
Trump also joined the criticism during an Oct. 7 campaign rally for Paxton in San Antonio, questioning Talarico's whereabouts and mocking his illness.
Talarico vs Paxton polls
A YouGov poll released Oct. 6 surveyed 3,625 likely voters in Texas and found that James Talarico leads Ken Paxton 50%-44% — outside the poll's margin of error of 3 percentage points. — in the Texas Senate race.
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%.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where is Talarico? Paxton requests doctor's note proving flu
