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

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

“I was in bed, drinking lots of liquids. Unfortunately, the campaign made me work from home, so I didn’t even get full days off. But I didn’t want to be out on the trail, and I didn’t want to get anyone else sick. It’s important, I think, for leaders to be responsible in these moments. And I’m glad to be back. I’m feeling much better,” he told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth in an interview.

Talarico returned to the campaign trail Friday; his last in-person event in the state had been Sept. 26, and on Sept. 30, he spoke at a forum virtually, saying he wasn’t feeling well.

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

Asked about those theories, Talarico said, “The internet’s doing its thing.”

“That’s not true,” Talarico said. “I just had the flu, and I feel 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 Sunday, posting on social media: “Representative James Talarico has never received treatment from Lindner Center of Hope.”

Republicans latched on to Talarico’s being off the trail in the final weeks of the campaign, and even some Democrats 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 for him to show “proof of life” with a picture of him and a newspaper showing the date.

President Donald Trump, stumping 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’s saying he should debate. Fox News has said he should debate. The people of Texas have said he should debate, and I think it’s mysterious that Ken Paxton hasn’t 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, no debates are scheduled. Talarico has accepted debate invitations from multiple media outlets, but Paxton hasn’t done the same.