Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico faced criticism and speculation from his Republican opponent, Ken Paxton, after being absent from the campaign trail for nearly two weeks, citing a severe flu. To counter claims of hiding his whereabouts, Talarico’s campaign released security camera footage showing him at his home in Austin, Texas, from October 1 to October 8. The images, verified by CBS News, depict a male figure with brown hair in various outfits, confirming Talarico’s presence at home. The Lindner Center of Hope in Ohio, involved in conspiracy theories about Talarico’s absence, stated he never received treatment there. Talarico’s campaign spokesperson, J.T. Ennis, dismissed the claims as false conspiracy theories. Talarico’s last public appearance was on September 26 in Carrollton, Texas, followed by fundraisers in New York City. He canceled an in-person event on September 30 due to illness, opting for a virtual appearance instead, and later canceled another event scheduled for early October.
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Talarico was home in Texas during campaign absence, photos indicate
