‘I just had the flu’: James Talarico shoots down conservative speculation about absence

Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico returned to the campaign trail after a two-week absence, attributing his disappearance to a severe case of the flu. His absence became a point of contention in the tight race against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who publicly questioned Talarico's health and whereabouts. While conservative commentators and Paxton speculated about Talarico's mental health or fitness for office, Talarico and the Lindner Center of Hope denied rumors that he was receiving clinical treatment. Both candidates have since exchanged challenges regarding debates and transparency as early voting approaches.

Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico returned to the campaign trail after a two-week absence, attributing his disappearance to a severe case of the flu. His absence became a point of contention in the tight race against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who publicly questioned Talarico's health and whereabouts. While conservative commentators and Paxton speculated about Talarico's mental health or fitness for office, Talarico and the Lindner Center of Hope denied rumors that he was receiving clinical treatment. Both candidates have since exchanged challenges regarding debates and transparency as early voting approaches.