Nick Sortor had alleged earlier that day that an unnamed hospital employee told him and Rhein Amacher that Talarico had been a patient at the Lindner Center of Hope near Cincinnati and was discharged earlier in the week. Breanna Morello separately described the person as “Someone named ‘James Talarico’” and said the candidate had not responded to three requests for comment.
Talarico returned to public campaigning on Oct. 9, meeting voters at the Austin City Limits music festival. His campaign said his absence lasted nine days, disputing descriptions of nearly two weeks and pointing to his Sept. 30 virtual appearance with the U.S. Hispanic Business Council. Republican rival Ken Paxton had demanded “proof of life” during the absence ahead of the Nov. 3 election.