President Donald Trump may have unintentionally put Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in an awkward position Wednesday night when he called for a debate between Paxton and Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico.
The president's demand came after he and Paxton spent much of a San Antonio campaign rally mocking Talarico for his recent absence from the campaign trail. But there was one problem with Trump's challenge: Talarico has already agreed to multiple debates, while Paxton has yet to accept an invitation.
Talarico wasted little time pointing that out.
“President Trump just said Ken Paxton should debate,” Talarico posted on X. “I agree. Ball’s in your court @KenPaxtonTX.”
The exchange adds another wrinkle to an increasingly heated Texas Senate race, where Democrats see an opportunity to end a decades-long statewide losing streak and Republicans are fighting to hold onto a crucial seat.
Trump and Paxton Target Talarico Over Campaign Absence
Talarico has been away from the campaign trail since late September after being diagnosed with the flu.
The Austin Democrat disclosed his illness during a Sept. 30 virtual appearance with the U.S. Hispanic Business Council, explaining that he had visited a Dallas urgent care facility the previous night.
“I guess I’ve been shaking too many hands on the campaign trail, and so I want to keep everybody safe,” Talarico said.
He also expressed concern about potentially spreading the illness to vulnerable people, including children and older adults.
His campaign says he plans to return to public appearances soon. Talarico is also scheduled to participate in a CNN town hall next Wednesday.
That explanation hasn't stopped Paxton and his campaign from turning the absence into a political attack.
During Wednesday night's rally, Paxton opened his remarks by asking the crowd, “Where do you think they hid that little socialist?”
He then led supporters in a chant of “Where is James Talarico?”
Paxton's campaign has also funded missing-person-style posters featuring Talarico and criticized him for attending a Sept. 28 fundraiser in New York while canceling other campaign appearances.
Campaign spokesperson Madison Cercy previously accused Talarico of finding time to seek donations from wealthy supporters while avoiding Hispanic business leaders in the Rio Grande Valley.
However, the New York fundraiser took place the night before Talarico sought treatment at urgent care, according to the timeline he provided publicly.
Trump Demands a Debate, but Paxton Hasn't Agreed to One
Trump joined the attacks during his rally speech, repeating an inaccurate claim that Talarico is a vegan who became sick after eating meat for political appearances.
“You haven’t seen him in a couple of weeks,” Trump told the crowd. “I hear the guy has disappeared — nobody knows. You know where he is? He’s sick, because he’s forced to eat meat for political reasons and he’s throwing up all over the place.”
After the rally, Trump continued the criticism on Truth Social, describing Talarico as “MISSING IN ACTION” and questioning what was wrong with him.
But the president went a step further by demanding that Talarico face Paxton on a debate stage.
“He should immediately report to a Debate Stage against Ken Paxton, who is ready, willing and able, one of the best Attorney Generals in the Country, and will soon be, hopefully, a United States Senator representing the Great People of Texas!” Trump wrote.
That declaration quickly shifted attention from Talarico's health to Paxton's own reluctance to debate.
Despite Trump's description of Paxton as ready and willing, the attorney general has not publicly accepted any of the debate invitations already on the table.
Talarico Has Accepted Four Debate Invitations
For months, Talarico has pushed for a face-to-face debate with Paxton.
The Democrat has accepted invitations from CNN, Hearst, Nexstar and WFAA. In late September, he also challenged Paxton to a debate on Fox News moderated by Bret Baier.
Fox News indicated it would host the event if both campaigns agreed.
So far, Paxton has not accepted those invitations, and the two candidates have not shared a debate stage.
The attorney general's debate history suggests his reluctance is nothing new.
Paxton did not debate his opponents during any of his three successful campaigns for Texas attorney general.
His campaign did indicate earlier this year that a debate would happen. In July, a spokesperson said, “of course we’re going to debate.”
But with Election Day approaching, that promise has yet to produce an actual event.
Paxton's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Trump's latest demand.
Meanwhile, Talarico's campaign is attempting to turn the controversy into a broader argument about which candidate is willing to face Texas voters.
Campaign spokesperson JT Ennis said Talarico has participated in more than 100 public events during the campaign and accused Paxton of avoiding Texans throughout the race.
Texas Senate Race Enters Critical Final Weeks
The debate dispute comes at a particularly important moment in the Texas Senate contest.
Polling shows Talarico holding a narrow lead over Paxton, raising Democratic hopes of a breakthrough in a state where the party has struggled to win statewide elections for more than three decades.
Texas Democrats have not won a statewide election in 32 years, the longest active losing streak for the party in any state.
A Talarico victory would represent a major political upset and could have significant consequences for control of the U.S. Senate.
Republicans, meanwhile, are counting on Trump's popularity with conservative voters and Texas' longstanding Republican lean to keep the seat in GOP hands.
The clock is ticking for both campaigns.
Early voting begins Oct. 19, with Election Day set for Nov. 3.
That leaves limited time to arrange a debate before voters begin casting ballots.
Will Paxton Take Trump's Advice?
Trump's comments have created an unusual situation for Paxton.
The president was clearly trying to criticize Talarico, but his public insistence that the candidates debate has strengthened an argument the Democrat has been making for months.
Talarico has accepted multiple debate invitations. Paxton has not.
And while the attorney general has been eager to question why his opponent hasn't been appearing at campaign events, he has yet to explain publicly why he hasn't agreed to meet Talarico onstage.
Whether Trump's intervention changes that remains to be seen.
For now, Talarico has a new talking point, and it comes directly from the Republican Party's most influential figure.
The question is no longer simply when Talarico will return to the campaign trail.
