Paxton Questions Talarico's Absence at Trump Rally; Campaign Cites Illness
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton led a chant at President Trump's rally asking for the whereabouts of Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, who his campaign says has been ill.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called out Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico's absence from the campaign trail during President Donald Trump's rally in San Antonio on Wednesday, less than a month before the November midterm elections.
Paxton led the crowd in chanting "Where is Talarico?" while asserting that the Democrat had not been seen campaigning in Texas for 11 days. Trump's appearance in San Antonio was part of a broader effort to mobilize Republican voters ahead of the midterm elections.
Talarico's campaign told Fox News Digital that the Democrat has been sick with the flu and is expected to return to the campaign trail this weekend.
"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, a campaign spokesperson for Talarico, told Fox News Digital. "Ken Paxton has been ignoring Texans this entire campaign, and his priorities are clear: he doesn’t answer to the people of this state — he answers to his billionaire megadonors and special interests."
The statement from Talarico's campaign also criticized Paxton's campaign priorities, pushing back against the Republican's remarks as the two candidates compete for a U.S. Senate seat.
Trump also criticized Talarico's positions on immigration, public safety and education, while praising Paxton's record as Texas attorney general and urging voters to support his Senate bid. The president emphasized the importance of the Texas race to Republicans' efforts to maintain control of Congress, warning supporters about the consequences of Democrats gaining seats in the Senate.
Trump urged attendees to participate in early voting, which begins Oct. 19 in Texas, or cast their ballots on Election Day. The exchange over Talarico's whereabouts comes as the candidates enter the final weeks of the campaign, with the Democrat's team indicating he will resume public appearances this weekend.