James Talarico Responds to Conspiracy Theories Amid Campaign Absence

<figure><img alt="Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico speaks during a rally in San Antonio, Texas in May." src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/3NQKTL3D6ZAPFEEMDJSELBJJKA.JPG?auth=4ac6be89e60cac200aadab7aa4d71a48854a9dfe58047baddce57bf0e10509b6&amp;smart=true&amp;width=4800&amp;height=2700" /><figcaption>Joel Angel Juarez / Joel Angel Juarez/REUTERS</figcaption></figure><p>Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico addressed conspiracy theories regarding his absence from the campaign trail due to illness during a music festival appearance on October 7, 2026. Talarico had been off the campaign trail for nearly two weeks due to the flu.</p><p>His opponent, Republican candidate Ken Paxton, along with President Donald Trump and other administration officials, had raised questions about Talarico's absence, suggesting it was a cover-up. Talarico's spokesperson, JT Ennis, responded to these rumors on social media, stating, "Hate to disappoint the conspiracy theorists, but James is still alive and meeting with voters at ACL today."</p><p>The race is competitive, with Talarico and Paxton tied at 45% according to a UMass Lowell/YouGov poll released on October 8. A Talarico victory would mark a significant shift in Texas politics, as it would be the first statewide win for Democrats in over 30 years.</p><p>Talarico had first mentioned his illness during a virtual appearance at the Hispanic Business Council on September 30, where he indicated he had sought urgent care for his condition. His absence from public events led to speculation, with one Texas Democrat stating, "He’s like, really sick. Believe me, we don’t want this right now… We would rather have him on the trail."</p><p>Paxton has repeatedly demanded proof of Talarico's well-being, sharing images of "MISSING" posters on social media. Trump also questioned the duration of Talarico's illness, suggesting it was unusual for someone to be away for 12 days due to the flu. He further speculated that Talarico's dietary choices may have contributed to his illness.</p><p>Additionally, rumors circulated online regarding Talarico's mental health, which Paxton's campaign spokesperson commented on, stating, "If James Talarico is too fragile to face Texans, he has no business asking for their vote."</p><p>Talarico confirmed in an interview with The New York Times that he had been suffering from a severe case of the flu and also has Type 1 diabetes, which can complicate recovery from common illnesses.</p><p>Paxton's campaign has faced challenges due to ongoing scandals, including allegations of corruption and bribery. The Daily Beast has reached out to the Talarico campaign for further comment.</p><p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/democrat-star-james-talarico-shrugs-off-maga-conspiracies">Read more at The Daily Beast.</a></p>