Coverage dated October 7, 2026 to October 9, 2026

As Paxton asks 'Where's James Talarico?' Trump urges Senate debate

Headline from CW 39 Houston

After questioning Talarico's absence from the campaign trail, Paxton and President Trump renewed calls for the Democrat to appear publicly. Trump also urged a debate, despite Paxton not publicly accepting any invitations.

CW 39 Houston's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

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Reports & sources

19 articles, oldest first.

  1. Just the News

    Trump declares Talarico 'missing in action', urges debate with Ken Paxton (opens Just the News)

    Published

    Just the News's feed description

    Talarico and Paxton are locked in an unexpectedly close contest in the typically Republican Lone Star State.

  2. Fox News

    Ken Paxton calls out James Talarico's 11-day absence at Trump rally, prompting response from campaign (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    Ken Paxton led a "Where is Talarico?" chant at Trump's San Antonio rally, but James Talarico's campaign says the Democrat has been sick with the flu.

  3. The Hill

    Trump: Where is Talarico? (opens The Hill)

    Published

    The Hill's feed description

    President Trump on Wednesday accused Texas Senate candidate James Talarico (D) of avoiding a debate with state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), asking, "Where is he?" "Ladies and Gentlemen, upon information and belief, James TalaFREAKo, who is running for the United States Senate in Texas, is MISSIN…

  4. Hot Air

  5. Texas Tribune

    In attacking Talarico for campaign absence, Trump calls for debate that Paxton has avoided (opens Texas Tribune)

    Published

    Texas Tribune's feed description

    The Democrat, off the trail with the flu, quickly accepted the president’s call to “immediately report to a Debate Stage” with Ken Paxton.

  6. Fox7 Austin

    Talarico leads Paxton among younger Texas voters, new poll shows (opens Fox7 Austin)

    Published

    Fox7 Austin's feed description

    Younger voters are propelling Democrat James Talarico into the lead in his U.S. Senate campaign against Republican Ken Paxton. Younger voters choose Talarico In a YouGov poll, around two-thirds of voters ages 18–29 (69%) and ages 30–44 (62%) said they were voting for Talarico.

  7. Washington Examiner

    Ken Paxton touts ‘missing Talarico’ flyers across Texas (opens Washington Examiner)

    Published

    Washington Examiner's feed description

    Texas Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton mocked opponent James Talarico’s notable absence from the campaign trail, sharing a missing persons flyer featuring the Democratic nominee. Paxton posted photos of missing posters that have popped up across Texas, including outside Kyle Field at Texas A&M U…

  8. Conservative Review

    Paxton hammers Talarico for going 'missing' from campaign trail — and Trump chimes in hilariously (opens Conservative Review)

    Published

    Conservative Review's feed description

    Ken Paxton is mocking his Democrat opponent for seemingly going missing from the campaign trail as Election Day looms. James Talarico, who is competing against Ken Paxton for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas, recently stopped appearing in person at campaign events and released a statement saying he had c…

  9. Fox7 Austin

    Trump calls for Talarico to 'immediately report' to debate against Paxton (opens Fox7 Austin)

    Published

    Fox7 Austin's feed description

    President Donald Trump on Wednesday night called for a debate between the two leading candidates in the Texas Senate race. Trump posted on Truth Social saying that Democrat James Talarico should "immediately report to a debate stage against Ken Paxton," calling the Republican attorney general "ready…

  10. Newsweek

    Ken Paxton Trolls Talarico with 'Missing' Posters After 12-Day Flu Absence (opens Newsweek)

    Published

    Newsweek's feed description

    Democrat James Talarico has been absent from public events for nearly two weeks, drawing attacks from Ken Paxton's campaign.

  11. KOB 4

    Trump wants Talarico and Paxton to debate. Talarico couldn’t be happier (opens KOB 4)

    Published

    KOB 4's feed description

    Democratic nominee James Talarico has stopped holding campaign events in the Texas Senate race, and his team says he has the flu. His Republican opponent, Ken Paxton, has used this to criticize Talarico, questioning his absence.

  12. CW 39 Houston

    As Paxton asks 'Where's James Talarico?' Trump urges Senate debate (opens CW 39 Houston)

    Published

    CW 39 Houston's feed description

    After questioning Talarico's absence from the campaign trail, Paxton and President Trump renewed calls for the Democrat to appear publicly. Trump also urged a debate, despite Paxton not publicly accepting any invitations.

  13. Fox News

    Talarico disappearance has Dem volunteers worrying and Trump asking, 'What is going on?' (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    Trump called James Talarico "MISSING IN ACTION" as the Texas Democrat's nearly two-week campaign trail absence sparks concerns about losing momentum.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.