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Politics

Democrat James Talarico sidelined by flu, campaign says amid GOP attacks

Republican Ken Paxton's campaign demanded proof of Talarico's condition as the race enters its final weeks.

Updated Oct 9, 2026 · 22:40 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • Democratic state Rep. James Talarico has been off the campaign trail for 12 days, which his campaign attributes to the flu.[NBC News]
  • Republican opponent Ken Paxton's campaign has demanded a dated newspaper photo from Talarico as proof of his condition.[NBC News]
  • A spokesman says Talarico is back campaigning, but reports conflict on whether the absence lasted 12 or nine days.[The Washington Sun]
  • Polling shows Talarico leading Paxton by roughly 5 points less than four weeks before Election Day.[The Washington Sun]

Key facts

  • Talarico has been off the campaign trail for 12 days, according to NBC News, and his campaign attributes this to the flu.[NBC News]
  • The Washington Sun reports that Texas Republicans attacked Talarico for a nine-day absence.[The Washington Sun]
  • Paxton's campaign asked Talarico to produce a photo of himself with a newspaper showing the current date.[NBC News]
  • Talarico's campaign said he was expected to return to campaigning over the weekend.[NBC News]
  • Talarico spokesman JT Ennis told The Washington Sun that Talarico was back on the campaign trail talking to voters at Austin City Limits.[The Washington Sun]
  • Polling reported by The Washington Sun shows Talarico leading Ken Paxton by roughly 5 percentage points.[The Washington Sun]

What remains uncertain

  • The length of Talarico's absence is inconsistent across sources, reported as 12 days in one and nine days in another.[The Washington Sun · NBC News]
  • Talarico's health and return to the trail rest mainly on campaign statements and social media videos, without independent confirmation in the reporting.[The Washington Sun · NBC News]
  • The roughly 5-point polling lead is reported by The Washington Sun, and the poll's date and methodology are not given in the available reporting.[The Washington Sun]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.