A false rumour about Texas Senate candidate James Talarico has been rejected by an Ohio mental health facility, as questions continue over whether the leading contenders in several major statewide races will debate before polling begins.
The Lindner Center of Hope said in a statement posted on social media that Talarico had “never received treatment” there. The clarification followed unsubstantiated claims that the Democratic candidate had been admitted to the facility during a recent absence from the campaign trail.
Talarico has denied the allegation, saying he had never been to Ohio. His campaign said he had been recovering from flu at home in Austin, and he returned to public view at the Austin City Limits Music Festival last Friday.
The claim emerged as the closely watched Senate contest between Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton entered its final weeks. Recent polling has suggested a competitive race, but the two candidates have yet to agree to a debate.
James Talarico rumour debunked as debate questions grow
The dispute has added to scrutiny of the campaign at a time when candidates are attempting to reach undecided voters before early voting starts on Monday, October 19.
The debate impasse also extends to the Texas governor’s race. Democratic nominee Gina Hinojosa has challenged Republican Governor Greg Abbott to face her outside the Governor’s Mansion in Austin on October 15.
Hinojosa’s campaign says she accepted an invitation to a proposed televised debate in Fort Worth on the same date, while Abbott has not agreed to take part. She has also said she will attend the event outside the mansion in an effort to force the governor to answer questions from voters.
Abbott has criticised the proposal on social media, describing it as political grandstanding. His campaign has not accepted Hinojosa’s invitation.
Political science professor Brian Smith, of St Edward’s University, said candidates who believe they are in a strong position may see little advantage in taking part in a debate.
“Republicans in Texas in this century avoided debates because they had so much to lose and so little to gain,” he said on FOX 7 Austin’s Battleground Texas programme.
Political analyst Bill King suggested that Abbott’s reluctance could reflect confidence in his campaign’s position, while Smith said the damage caused by a poor performance could outweigh any potential benefit.
The only confirmed debate among the major statewide contests discussed on the programme is in the Texas Railroad Commission race, with the event expected to take place during the early-voting period.
Texas early voting will run from October 19 to October 30, ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, November 3. Candidates therefore have only a short period left to settle debate plans and make their final appeal to voters.
