AUSTIN, Texas (The Texas Tribune) - After a nine-day illness-induced absence from the campaign trail, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico re-emerged Friday with an unannounced appearance at the Austin City Limits music festival.

ACL Fest @jamestalarico https://t.co/edKAO21FMH- Andy Langer (@Andylanger) October 9, 2026 With early voting fast approaching, Talarico stepped off the trail near the start of last week after revealing he had been diagnosed with the flu.

His showing at ACL was his first public appearance since Sept. 30, when he called in virtually to an event with the U.S. Hispanic Business Council.