Talarico Draws 4,000 in Lubbock as Trump Rallies for Paxton
With seven days left in the election, the rivals held separate events in the same Texas city on Tuesday, competing for crossover votes in a tightening Senate race.
By Rosa Kovalenko ·
James Talarico addressed more than 4,000 supporters in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday night.
The crowd formed long lines on the east side of the city to hear the Democratic Senate candidate speak.
Dr. Tim Jones, a 66 year old emergency room physician, waited in line for hours. He described the attendees as closet Democrats frustrated by gas prices, inflation, and the war. He also cited the construction of the White House ballroom as a factor in their decision to vote.
Less than three miles away, President Donald Trump held a rally at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center to support Republican candidate Ken Paxton.
Trump introduced Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the crowd, a new addition to his campaign appearances. Rubio had avoided midterm rallies until Tuesday. He told the audience that the country is stronger and safer because Trump is president.
Talarico focused his speech on economic issues and corruption. He accused Paxton of being a sycophant to Trump and a corrupt politician. He also mentioned Elon Musk, noting that the tech billionaire has put more than $150 million into Paxton's campaign. Talarico called the opponent the embodiment of a corrupt system.
Trump attacked Talarico as an anti gun extremist who dislikes meat. He referenced Talarico's earlier absence from the campaign trail due to the flu, suggesting it was either a mental problem or a reaction to eating meat. Trump called Talarico "Talafreako" during his speech.
Paxton stood on stage with Trump, saying the president told him he does not normally hold two rallies for one candidate. Paxton said Trump told him, "I must really like you." Paxton responded, "Mr. President, I really like you, too."
The race has drawn hundreds of millions of dollars in spending. Talarico holds a narrow lead in polling with one week until the election. His campaign says the large crowd in Lubbock shows that Republicans are ready for change. Talarico told the audience that they are terrified because they see that Democrats are about to win.
Source: NBC News
