Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton criticized Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico for not being present on the campaign trail during President Donald Trump’s rally in San Antonio this past Wednesday. Paxton, rallying the crowd, asked, “Where is Talarico?” while claiming that the Democrat had not campaigned in Texas for a period of 11 days.
Talarico’s campaign responded by stating that he has been unwell with the flu but is expected to get back to campaigning this weekend. Campaign spokesperson JT Ennis said, “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.” He added that Paxton seems to ignore the concerns of Texans, suggesting that Paxton prioritizes his wealthy donors over the residents of the state.
During the rally, Trump echoed Paxton’s concerns about Talarico’s absence, mentioning it multiple times while promoting Paxton’s candidacy. He also brought up Talarico’s choices regarding food in a mocking tone, suggesting, without evidence, that his illness could be related to his dietary preferences.
Furthermore, Trump criticized Talarico’s stances on issues like immigration, public safety, and education, while praising Paxton’s record as the Texas attorney general. The president stressed the election’s significance for Republicans, warning of potential consequences if Democrats increase their representation in Senate seats.
As the election nears, Trump is aiming to rally Republican supporters and emphasized the importance of early voting, which starts on October 19 in Texas. Talarico’s campaign indicated that, despite the recent illness, he is set to return to public appearances shortly.
