From Dallas Express · Dallas Express · · 2m
James Talarico Resurfaces At ACL; Mental-Health Claim Unverified
Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico returns to public after absence, as mental-health claims remain unverified.
In brief
Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico returns to public after absence, as mental-health claims remain unverified. Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico returned to public appearances after a nine-day absence, but claims he was in a mental-health facility remain unverified. Originally reported by…
Talarico returns to public
State Rep. James Talarico (D-District 50) returned to public view Friday at Austin City Limits Music Festival after nine days without a public appearance.
Mental-health claims unverified
As of Saturday morning, no public documentation or named-source reporting substantiates claims Talarico spent time in a psychiatric hospital or mental-health facility.
Talarico attributes absence to flu
Talarico's campaign continues to attribute his absence to influenza, with his October 9 reappearance confirming he has returned to campaigning.
Talarico's last event before illness
Talarico had planned to appear at a September 30 United States Hispanic Business Council forum in Edinburg but joined by video from home.
Campaign claims he was diagnosed with flu
Talarico said he was diagnosed with the flu after feeling 'under the weather' a few days ago and went to urgent care in Dallas.
Campaign's next event
Campaign spokesman JT Ennis posted video from the festival and wrote, 'Hate to disappoint the conspiracy theorists, but James is still alive and meeting with voters at ACL today'.
Talarico's religious stance
Talarico has made Christianity central to his political identity, calling himself a Presbyterian seminarian studying to become a pastor.
Talarico's policy positions
His campaign platform calls for federal legislation to codify Roe v. Wade and protect same-sex marriage legality.
Talarico revised religious statements
Talarico previously said 'God is non-binary' and argued for six biological sexes but later revised to two sexes and supported a federal ban on sex-alteration surgeries for minors.
Black Democratic support friction
The Congressional Black Caucus PAC endorsed Talarico in September, but his campaign rebuffed offers of help from former Collin County Democratic Party chair Sheena Flanary.
The takeaway
Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico returned to public appearances after a nine-day absence, but claims he was in a mental-health facility remain unverified.
