Where is James Talarico? Ken Paxton says Democrat is MIA
by Mary McCue Bell · The Washington TimesWhen Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico took a break from the campaign trail to recover from the flu, his GOP opponent, Ken Paxton, pounced.
Within 24 hours, Mr. Paxton’s campaign team sent out three press releases assailing Mr. Talarico’s absence.
On Wednesday, the 11th day of Mr. Talarico’s sick leave, according to Mr. Paxton, the Republican’s campaign unveiled its “Where’s Jimmy?” daily countdown tracking “every day Talarico spends hiding from the voters he wants to represent.”
People were interested in these podcasts
During President Trump’s rally in San Antonio on Wednesday, Mr. Paxton led the crowd in chanting “Where is Talarico?”
Mr. Talarico’s campaign has said the Democrat has the flu, telling Fox News Digital that he’s expected to return to the campaign trail this weekend.
The Washington Times has reached out for comment.
SEE ALSO: Trump warns Democratic majority would ‘destroy’ Texas at Paxton rally
Mr. Talarico last appeared at a fundraising event in New York with actor Robert De Niro on Sept. 28, translating to 10 days ago.
Two days later, the state representative disclosed the illness himself during a virtual U.S. Hispanic Business Council forum.
Advertisement Advertisement
The president isn’t buying it, insisting on questioning his whereabouts.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, upon information and belief, James TalaFREAKo, who is running for the United States Senate in Texas, is MISSING IN ACTION! No one has seen him for an extended period of time. Where is he? What is wrong with him? Bad rumors are coming out,” Mr. Trump said Wednesday on social media.
He said the Democrat should “immediately” report to a debate stage against Mr. Paxton, describing his endorsed candidate as “ready, willing, and able.”
In response to the president’s debate request, Mr. Talarico said, “I agree.”
On Thursday, Mr. Talarico’s campaign challenged Mr. Paxton to five debates, saying in a statement that the GOP nominee has “refused to respond to Talarico’s challenges.”
Advertisement Advertisement
Pinning the decision on Mr. Paxton comes as the candidates enter the final weeks of the campaign. The election is Nov. 3.
At the end of September, Mr. Talarico announced that Fox News agreed to host a debate between the two.
“They’re just waiting on Paxton to agree,” he said. “Ball’s in your court @KenPaxtonTX.”
On Sept. 25, the Democrat said he called Mr. Paxton to invite him to a debate on Fox News, but he did not pick up.
Advertisement Advertisement
“Let’s go to Ken Paxton’s safe space. Let’s do Bret Baier on Fox News,” the Democrat said at a September event hosted by The Texas Tribune. “I’ll go into the lion’s den because I know what I believe, I am proud of my record and I’m not afraid of hard questions.”
Mr. Paxton’s senior adviser Nick Maddux told the Tribune in July that “of course” the Republican would debate Mr. Talarico.
“Talarico is a serial liar who has spent his entire campaign shamelessly deceiving Texas voters about his radical record with[out] answering the hard questions,” he said.
Contact the author
Mary McCue Bell
Follow author updates Follow Click to follow. Manage followed authors