James Talarico denies mental health clinic rumors after flu absence

Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico has returned to the campaign trail following a multi-day absence caused by the flu, while rejecting rumors that he spent time in a mental health clinic. According to reports from the Daily Mail and MSNBC, Talarico dismissed the claims as false, attributing his absence entirely to illness. In an interview with MS NOW, he described the rumors as silly season in politics and criticized how easily unsourced internet posts spread through the media. [1][3][7][8]

The Daily Mail reported that the 37-year-old candidate held an in-person campaign event on September 29 at a fundraiser in New York City. The following day, he appeared virtually before a business council, explaining that he was unwell and wanted to avoid getting others sick. Citing The New York Times, the Daily Mail reported that Talarico told the council he was feeling under the weather and had visited urgent care when his symptoms worsened. [1]

Talarico is a member of the Texas House of Representatives who won the Democratic primary in March 2026. He will face Republican nominee Ken Paxton in the November general election, after Paxton defeated incumbent John Cornyn in a May primary runoff. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Paxton previously targeted Talarico over his absence by sharing mock missing person flyers. [13][14][15][16]

Following Talarico's return to the campaign trail, the chair of the Texas Democratic Party stated that the campaign is moving full steam ahead, according to The Hill. In his interview with MS NOW, Talarico also demanded a proof of spine from his Republican opponent, Paxton. [3][7][9]