James Talarico resurfaces after extended absence as his campaign pushes back

Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico reappeared on the campaign trail Friday after a nearly two-week absence, ending days of speculation and criticism from political opponents regarding his whereabouts.

"Hate to disappoint the conspiracy theorists, but James is still alive and meeting with voters at ACL today," Talarico’s primary spokesperson, JT Ennis, wrote on X .

The post included a video of the candidate walking through crowds and greeting supporters at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

MEET THE VOTERS WHO COULD BREAK THE GOP’S DECADESLONG GRIP ON A REPUBLICAN STRONGHOLD Talarico, who is challenging Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a closely-watched U.S.

Senate contest, had not been seen publicly in person at a campaign event since late September.

His last in-person event was a Sept.

26 news conference in Carrollton addressing rising gas prices.

Talarico's campaign attributed the absence to a severe case of the flu.

However, the prolonged pause drew sharp criticism from Republicans, including President Donald Trump .

HECKLERS INTERRUPT TRUMP TEXAS RALLY MULTIPLE TIMES In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused the Democrat of being "MISSING IN ACTION." "TalaFREAKo has been missing for 12 days! Now, after looking for him throughout all of Texas, and beyond, probably even weirder places than anyone would think possible, he put out a statement that he has the 'flu,'" Trump wrote.

"12 days is a long time to rid yourself of the so-called flu bug.

What’s going on?" he added.

"We need a Senator that’s a proven Champion like one that has been, without question, the Greatest Attorney General in the History of Texas, and one of the Greatest in the U.S.A." Talarico’s campaign pushed back on the characterization that he had been absent from the campaign trail for nearly two weeks, saying he attended a Zoom on Sept.

30 with the U.S.