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

Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico addressed his recent absence from the campaign trail on Sunday, saying it was nothing more than a “bad case of the flu.”

“I was in bed, drank a lot of fluids. Unfortunately, the campaign made me away from home, so I didn’t even get full days off. But I didn’t want to be on the track, and I didn’t want anyone else to get sick. It’s important, I think, for leaders to be responsible in these moments. And I’m happy to be back.

Talarico returns to the campaign trail Friday; his last personal event in the state was September 26, and September 30, he spoke on a virtual forum, he said he was not feeling well.

In his absence, some conservatives have speculated that he is taking a break for mental health reasons. One right-wing influencer falsely claimed that Talarico was receiving treatment at the Lindner Center of Hope, a facility in Ohio.

Asked about these theories, Talarico said, “The Internet is doing its thing.”

“That’s not true,” Talarico said. “I just had the flu, and I’m feeling much better. But it’s a good reminder that you can’t believe everything you read on the Internet.”

The Lindner Center also shot down the speculation on Sunday, posting on social media: “Representative James Talarico has never received treatment from the Lindner Center of Hope.”

Republicans have been hiding from Talarico in recent weeks of the campaign, and even some Democrats have admitted to NBC News that his absence was less than ideal in the tight Senate race.

State Attorney General Ken Paxton, Talarico’s Republican opponent, called on him to show “proof of life” with a photo of him in a newspaper showing the date.

President Donald Trump, who campaigned for Paxton in San Antonio on Wednesday, highlighted Talarico’s absence and urged him to debate Paxton. Asked about Trump’s comment Sunday, Talarico said he agreed.

“I agree with President Trump. I think Ken Paxton should debate. The president says he should debate. Fox News said he should debate. The people of Texas said he should debate, and I think it’s mysterious that Ken Paxton has not responded to a request for a debate in 85 days,” Talarico said.

“Ken Paxton has asked for proof of life for me. I’m asking for proof of spine from him,” he added.

So far, there are no debates on the program. Talarico accepted debate invitations from many media outlets, but Paxton did not do the same.