AUSTIN, Texas — James Talarico appeared at the Austin City Limits music festival Friday, greeting festivalgoers and posing for photos in his first in-person public appearance in Texas since disclosing he had the flu. The Texas state representative and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate had not held a public event in the state since Sept. 26 in Carrollton. His campaign said Friday that he was recovering and expected to resume campaigning over the weekend. Talarico had been scheduled to attend a Sept. 30 forum in Edinburg in person, but joined virtually. He said he had returned to Dallas after a New York City fundraiser and went to urgent care, where he was diagnosed with the flu. At the time, he said he had a fever and was staying away from people to avoid spreading the illness. His absence became a target for Republican nominee Ken Paxton and his allies. Paxton led a “Where is James Talarico?” chant at a San Antonio rally Wednesday, and his campaign circulated missing-person-style posters. President Donald Trump also called Talarico “missing in action” in a social media post. Paxton campaign spokeswoman Madison Cercy renewed the campaign’s demand Friday that Talarico provide what she called “proof of life,” such as a video showing a newspaper with that day’s date or a doctor’s note. Talarico’s campaign spokesperson, JT Ennis, responded that Talarico was alive and meeting voters at ACL. Political science professor Cal Jillson of Southern Methodist University said the days away from public campaigning were a setback, but probably would not decide a race in which many voters have already formed opinions. He said the campaign could regain momentum if Talarico returned to the trail as planned and did not suffer a relapse. Recent polling has shown a close contest. The latest New York Times/Siena poll cited in the report had Talarico leading Paxton by six points; other recent polls placed the race within the margin of error. No Democrat has won a statewide Texas election in more than three decades. The candidates are entering the campaign’s final stretch: early voting was 10 days away as of Friday, and Election Day was 25 days away. Talarico is scheduled to appear at a CNN town hall in Fort Worth on Wednesday. He has accepted several debate invitations, while Paxton has not accepted one, according to the campaigns’ public positions described Friday. Jillson said Paxton’s focus on Talarico’s absence was a predictable campaign tactic, aimed at raising questions about his health and availability. Talarico’s campaign, meanwhile, continued running ads pressing Paxton to debate and addressing other campaign issues while its nominee recovered.