Texas Senate Race Heats Up as Candidate’s Flu Absence Fuels Debate Calls

Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico has been off the campaign trail for more than a week after being diagnosed with the flu. His campaign spokesperson said the illness forced a pause in public events and that he would return “this weekend.”

CNN

The race pits Talarico against Republican Ken Paxton, Texas attorney general and the party’s Senate nominee. Paxton secured the GOP nomination by defeating incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a May primary. Former President Donald Trump has publicly questioned Talarico’s whereabouts, labeling him “MISSING IN ACTION” and urging an immediate debate.

CNN

• Poll leads: A New York Times/Siena University poll shows Talarico ahead by six points (51 % to 45 %). A Fox News poll released in October places him at 51 % versus Paxton’s 49 %, within the poll’s sampling error.

The Hill

• Ad spending: GOP advertising in Texas from September to November exceeds $190 million, while Democratic spending totals $52 million for the same period.

CNN

• Ken Paxton: The Republican candidate’s social-media post asked, “Where are they hiding that little socialist?” and his campaign launched ads accusing Talarico of “missing for 11 days.”

USA Today

• “He should immediately report to a Debate Stage against Ken Paxton, who is ready, willing, and able,” — Donald Trump

CNN

• “After holding more than 100 public events and shaking tens of thousands of hands, James came down with the flu but will be back on the trail this weekend,” — JT Ennis, Talarico campaign spokesperson

CNN

• “I was starting to feel kind of under the weather a few days ago and last night it got so bad that I went to the urgent care here in Dallas, and I was diagnosed with the flu,” — James Talarico

CNN

• “Where are they hiding that little socialist?” — Ken Paxton

El Paso Times

• “Talarico is a serial liar who has spent his entire campaign shamelessly deceiving Texas voters about his radical record with[out] answering the hard questions,” — Maddux

The Hill

Poll results differ between outlets: the New York Times/Siena University poll shows a 6-point advantage for Talarico, while the Fox News poll narrows the gap to 2 points and places it within the margin of error. No confirmed debate date has been set despite multiple public challenges.

El Paso Times

Talarico is scheduled to appear at a CNN-Jubilee Media town hall in Fort Worth on October 14. Early voting will begin in the coming weeks, and both campaigns continue to press for a debate, though no agreement has been reached. The race remains one of the nation’s tightest Senate contests as Election Day approaches.

El Paso Times