Trump wants Talarico and Paxton to debate. Talarico couldn't be happier

President Donald Trump has unintentionally handed Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico something he has sought for months: a push for a debate against Republican Ken Paxton in Texas. After Paxton used a San Antonio rally with Trump to ask where Talarico had gone, the president posted that the Democrat, who his campaign says has the flu, should promptly show up on a debate stage. Talarico answered the next morning that he agreed and that the next move belonged to Paxton, according to PBS NewsHour.

No debate is on the calendar, and Paxton has not responded publicly to the president's demand. Talarico proposed three televised debates in July and later invited his rival to appear on Fox News, sharing a video of his voicemail. Paxton's campaign said in July he would take part but then objected to certain moderators. Some Republicans, fearing Paxton could be the first Republican to lose a Texas Senate contest in almost four decades, are also urging him to agree.

The race has unfolded mostly through advertising, with campaigns and over a dozen outside groups spending more than $247 million, according to AdImpact. Talarico is expected to return to the trail this weekend, aides said.

Summarized by PolitiKool from PBS NewsHour’s reporting. Read the full story at PBS NewsHour →