James Talarico has been unusually difficult to find on the Texas campaign trail, and his reported illness has done little to quiet questions about why the Democratic Senate candidate has disappeared from public view at such a critical point in the race.

Talarico, a Democratic state representative from Texas, is challenging Republican Ken Paxton for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat in the November 2026 election. As the campaign enters its final stretch, Talarico has largely vanished from the public schedule. He has not made an in-person campaign appearance in Texas since Sept. 26, according to reports.

His campaign says the explanation is straightforward: He came down with the flu and has been recovering. He is expected to return to the campaign trail this weekend. Talarico disclosed the illness Sept. 30 during a virtual appearance with the U.S. Hispanic Business Council, saying he had visited an urgent care facility in Dallas after developing symptoms and suggesting that extensive campaigning and interactions with voters may have contributed to him getting sick.

The timing and length of the absence have turned the issue into a campaign talking point, particularly with the Senate race receiving national attention. At a rally in San Antonio this week, Paxton asked, “Where is Talarico?” President Donald Trump also questioned why the Democratic nominee had not been appearing publicly and challenged him to a Senate debate. Talarico has accepted the debate challenge, while his campaign has pushed back against suggestions that anything more unusual is behind the absence.

Campaign spokesman JT Ennis said Talarico had already participated in more than 100 public events and shaken hands with tens of thousands of people before becoming sick. There is currently no public statement that anything beyond the reported illness explains his absence.

The Texas Senate race is one of the country’s most closely watched contests, with Talarico attempting to win statewide office in a traditionally Republican state against Paxton, a prominent conservative and former Texas attorney general. With Election Day approaching, both candidates face pressure to maximize time with voters. Until Talarico resumes public events, the gap in appearances is likely to remain a focus for Republicans, who continue to ask a simple question: Where is James Talarico?