Talarico skips Bernie Sanders rally in Texas, campaigns separately as Senate race heats up

Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico skipped a Monday night rally headlined by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in El Paso, instead holding campaign events hundreds of miles away in North Texas as his closely watched race against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton enters its final weeks.

Sanders appeared at the Abraham Chavez Theatre alongside former Rep. Beto O'Rourke and Democratic Reps. Greg Casar and Veronica Escobar as early voting began ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

Talarico, meanwhile, held a rally at North Crowley High School in Fort Worth as part of his "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts" campaign tour, following an earlier campaign stop in Denton.

JAMES TALARICO RESURFACES AFTER EXTENDED ABSENCE AS HIS CAMPAIGN PUSHES BACK

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) joins hands with former Representative Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas) during a rally as part of his nationwide "Fighting Oligarchy Tour," ahead of the midterm elections, in El Paso, Texas, on October 19, 2026. (REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez)

Fox News Digital reached out to Talarico's campaign for comment on why the candidate held a separate event instead of campaigning with the other Democrats, who used the El Paso event to promote his Senate bid and criticize Republican campaign spending.

"They have spent, so far, $368 million just against one man, the next senator from the state of Texas, James Talarico. That's how desperate, how scared and how panicked they are right now," O'Rourke told supporters.

DEMOCRATS SEE NEW CHANCES TO FLIP RED STATES — BUT A $400M GOP SPENDING ADVANTAGE COULD DERAIL THEIR PLANS

Casar also expressed support for Talarico, telling the crowd that electing him would help advance Democrats' legislative priorities.

Sanders, who did not mention Talarico by name during his remarks, instead directed his criticism toward wealthy political donors and their influence on American elections.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico speaks during a campaign rally at the Cailloux Theater on Aug. 31, 2026, in Kerrville, Texas. Talarico is campaigning across the state in a close race against Republican candidate and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

"What you are seeing in this campaign, what you are seeing right here in Texas, all over America, is multibillionaires are pouring hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars," Sanders said.

The Vermont Independent urged supporters to vote early, casting the midterms as a battle over the political influence of wealthy Americans.

At his separate Fort Worth rally, Talarico delivered a similar message about money in politics, targeting Paxton and billionaire Elon Musk over the influence of wealthy donors in the Texas Senate race.

TALARICO SAYS THE DIVIDE IS 'TOP VS. BOTTOM' — THEN HEADS TO ONE OF AMERICA'S RICHEST DONOR ENCLAVES

"We have an affordability crisis because we have a corruption crisis," Talarico told supporters.

He also sought to frame his candidacy as an appeal beyond traditional party divisions.

"This election shouldn't be about the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. It's bigger than that," he said.

Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico listens to a question during the conclusion of a "Talarico for Texas: Frontera Tour" campaign rally at the International Center for Trade convention center in Eagle Pass, Texas, on July 13, 2026. (Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Talarico and Paxton are competing for the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. John Cornyn. The race has drawn national attention as Democrats seek their first Texas U.S. Senate victory since 1988.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more.