Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton put Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico’s whereabouts front and center during President Donald Trump’s rally in San Antonio on Wednesday. The challenge came less than a month before the November midterm elections.

Paxton told the crowd that his Democratic rival had not been seen campaigning in Texas for 11 days. He then turned the question into a rally chant as Republicans gathered behind his bid for a U.S. Senate seat.

Paxton led attendees in chanting, "Where is Talarico?" The chant focused the crowd’s attention squarely on the Democrat’s absence from the Texas campaign trail during the crucial final weeks of the contest.

Ken Paxton calls out James Talarico: “Where is he? Where do you think they hid that little socialist?” https://t.co/Ej6I5aF3Ci

— TheBlaze (@theblaze) October 7, 2026

Talarico’s campaign offered an explanation to Fox News Digital, saying the candidate has been sick with the flu. According to the campaign, Talarico is expected to return to campaign events this weekend.

Gold. Upgraded. Buy real gold from $1. Store it in America. Sell it with one click.

JT Ennis, a campaign spokesperson for Talarico, pointed to the candidate’s previous appearances while explaining the absence.

"After holding more than 100 public events and shaking tens of thousands of hands, James came down with the flu but will be back on the trail this weekend," Ennis told Fox News Digital.

Ennis also used the response to attack Paxton’s conduct and campaign priorities, arguing that the Republican has not been responsive to Texas voters.

"Ken Paxton has been ignoring Texans this entire campaign, and his priorities are clear: He doesn’t answer to the people of this state. He answers to his billionaire megadonors and special interests."

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

The statement pushed back against Paxton as the two candidates compete for the Senate seat. Still, Talarico’s illness did not stop his whereabouts from becoming a recurring subject during the rally at Freeman Coliseum.

WATCH: James Talarico has been missing for 11 days.

He was last seen in Texas on September 26th. While his campaign continues to lie to Texans, he is nowhere to be seen. https://t.co/O83BjlmVSl — Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) October 7, 2026

Trump joined Paxton in questioning where Talarico had been. While campaigning for Paxton, the president repeatedly referred to the Democrat’s absence and made it part of his case before the San Antonio audience.

The president suggested without evidence that Talarico became sick after eating meat for political reasons. Trump used the claim to mock the Democrat’s dietary preferences as he continued pressing the issue of the candidate’s disappearance from public campaigning.

Trump also criticized Talarico’s positions on immigration, public safety, and education. Those issues became part of the president’s broader argument against the Democrat and in favor of Paxton’s campaign.

At the same time, Trump praised Paxton’s record as Texas attorney general and urged voters to support his Senate bid. The rally placed Paxton alongside the president as Republicans worked to motivate their voters before ballots are cast.

Trump framed the Texas contest as important to the Republican effort to maintain control of Congress. He warned supporters about the consequences if Democrats gain seats in the Senate during the midterm elections.

AWESOME! President Trump just went full KEN PAXTON MODE

"He sued Medicare fraudsters and got back over a billion dollars for Texas taxpayer." "He sued to stop the radical left from mutilating Texas children, and he won." "He sued the Biden administration over a hundred times, and he won almost every instance, almost every lawsuit!" He took Dems to court over and over and WON. A MAGA fighter! This is precisely who we need in the Senate. I think Paxton will IMMEDIATELY become one of the greatest senators we have in America upon election James Talarico needs to get swamped! Paxton will be a reliable America First vote. @KenPaxtonTX — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 8, 2026

The president’s San Antonio appearance was part of a wider effort to mobilize Republican voters. Trump visited Texas to campaign for Republican candidates ahead of the elections and encouraged the crowd to make its voice heard at the ballot box.

Trump urged attendees to participate in early voting, which begins Oct. 19 in Texas. He also told supporters they could cast their ballots on Election Day if they did not vote during the early period.

The rally took place on Oct. 7, 2026, with Paxton addressing the crowd as Trump listened.

The dispute over Talarico’s absence arrives as both campaigns enter the closing weeks of the race. Paxton and Trump turned the Democrat’s 11 days away from campaigning in Texas into a rallying cry, while Talarico’s campaign blamed the absence on the flu and promised his return this weekend.

Gold is the oldest answer. SoundMoney makes owning it as easy as the apps you already use.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.