After 13 days without a reported in-person campaign appearance in Texas, Democrat U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico is now the subject of a telephone tip line launched by his Republican opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The “Tala-Freak-Out Tip Line” invites Texans to report sightings of Talarico, whose campaign says he has been recovering from the flu after a pair of New York City fundraisers early last week.
Texans are being encouraged to call 1-833-56-WYAJT with information about Talarico’s whereabouts.
Those who call the number hear a recorded message asking whether they have spotted Talarico since September 26.
“If you or someone you know has spotted James Talarico since then, or if you believe the people of Texas deserve to see James on the campaign trail instead of hiding who knows where, please leave us a message,” the recording states.
According to Paxton’s campaign, the hotline will remain active until Talarico makes another public appearance in Texas, with confirmed sightings to be shared on social media.
“We’ve tried posters. We’ve tried a formal proof-of-life request. Now we’re asking every Texan to help bring Jimmy home,” said campaign spokeswoman Madison Cercy.
“If you spot James Talarico in Texas, call the tip line. If you spot him at a Hollywood fundraiser, don’t bother. We already know he’ll show up for those. Texans shouldn’t need a hotline to find the man asking for their vote,” she added.
The campaign is specifically requesting reports of Talarico appearing in public between September 26 and October 9, as well as evidence that he has shaken hands with Texas voters during that period.
The hotline follows several days of escalating criticism from Paxton’s campaign, which previously distributed mock missing-person posters and demanded a video of Talarico holding a current newspaper, information about his return flight from New York, and a doctor’s note confirming his illness.
President Donald Trump has also weighed in, declaring Talarico “missing in action.”
“12 days is a long time to rid yourself of the so-called flu bug. What’s going on?” Trump wrote in a recent Truth Social post.
Talarico’s campaign has pushed back on the criticism, maintaining that the Democrat became ill after holding more than 100 public events and shaking tens of thousands of hands.
In a statement reported Friday by CBS News Texas, campaign spokesman JT Ennis said Talarico was looking forward to returning to the campaign trail this weekend after recovering from the flu.
Texas Scorecard reached out to Talarico’s campaign for comment on the hotline and to ask where the candidate is expected to resume campaigning this weekend.
Early voting begins October 19, ahead of the November 3 general election.
