The New York Times reported Monday that it reviewed time-stamped security camera images provided by the campaign of Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico, showing him at his Austin home between Oct. 1 and Oct. 8. The footage contradicts viral claims that Talarico traveled to an Ohio behavioral health center during his nine-day absence from the campaign trail. The campaign provided the images to the Times on the condition that they not be published for security reasons, but they offer the clearest independent evidence supporting Talarico's account that he was recovering from the flu.
Questions over delayed release
The revelation has prompted criticism regarding why the campaign did not release verifiable evidence earlier, before unsubstantiated theories about Talarico's whereabouts spread across social media and were amplified by prominent conservatives. Talarico's campaign maintained throughout his absence that he was recovering from the flu. On Sept. 30, Talarico appeared virtually at an event while visibly ill and told attendees he had come down with the illness.
However, speculation increased as Election Day approached, particularly after the campaign reposted footage from a February rally on Oct. 3 without initially identifying it as months-old video. The campaign told the Times it routinely reposts older social media content.
Strategists call for transparency
GOP strategist Mark Bednar told Fox News Digital that in an election year, every day counts as candidates work to meet voters. He stated that if a candidate is out of commission, voters naturally wonder what is happening. Bednar argued that if the flu was the real reason for the absence, it was "mind-numbing malpractice" that the campaign did not quickly demonstrate that fact to voters.
Matt Gorman, chief communications officer at Targeted Victory, echoed these sentiments in comments to Fox News Digital. He noted that with 20 days remaining until Election Day in one of the largest states, candidates should use technology to connect with voters through direct-to-camera videos or livestreams. Gorman described going dark on communications as malpractice.
Washington Free Beacon investigative reporter Chuck Ross pointed to the Times report on X, writing that the footage could have been released a week prior to quash the rumors.
Campaign response
Campaign spokesperson JT Ennis told Fox News Digital on Monday that the claim about an Ohio hospital is a conspiracy theory that has been proven false. Ennis said Talarico is excited to return to the campaign trail after recovering from the flu. When Fox News Digital sought a response to the criticism regarding the delay in releasing evidence, the campaign declined to add to its earlier statement.
Ennis also directed attention toward Talarico's Republican opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Ennis noted that it has been 87 days since Talarico challenged Paxton to answer Texans' questions in a debate, a request President Trump also supported. "Ball is in Paxton's court," Ennis said.