Trump and Paxton attack Texas Senate candidate Talarico for campaign trail absence

Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico has been absent from the campaign trail for approximately 12 days, citing a case of the flu. President Donald Trump and Republican opponent Ken Paxton have publicly questioned the veracity of Talarico's illness during recent campaign events, with Trump mocking Talarico's dietary habits and Paxton leading chants asking for his whereabouts. Talarico, who has Type 1 diabetes, last appeared in person on September 26 and participated in a virtual event on September 30. His campaign expects him to return to in-person campaigning by the upcoming weekend. The controversy occurs as polling shows a tight race in the final weeks before the midterm election.

Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico has been absent from the campaign trail for approximately 12 days, citing a case of the flu. President Donald Trump and Republican opponent Ken Paxton have publicly questioned the veracity of Talarico's illness during recent campaign events, with Trump mocking Talarico's dietary habits and Paxton leading chants asking for his whereabouts. Talarico, who has Type 1 diabetes, last appeared in person on September 26 and participated in a virtual event on September 30. His campaign expects him to return to in-person campaigning by the upcoming weekend. The controversy occurs as polling shows a tight race in the final weeks before the midterm election.