Texas House candidate no-shows at debate after unearthed crude

The most frustrating detail here is not the crude posts. It’s that organizers had to scrap one of the only chances voters had to see both candidates side by side because one of them simply didn’t show. That’s not a strategy, it’s a shrug. In a race to replace Rep. John Lujan, people deserved a straight answer on basics: taxes, schools, the border, property crime, and whether the candidate can handle pressure without bolting.

Sure, politics is rougher now. Old social media gets dug up, dunked on, and turned into a weeklong pile-on. But if you’re running for office in 2026, you already know your feed is going to be combed like a crime scene. You don’t get to act surprised by opposition research. You face it, you explain it, you apologize if it’s warranted, and then you talk about what you want to do with the job.

Instead, this no-show turned a debate into dead air and handed the other candidate a free pass to own the room. That hurts Republicans, too, if this seat is in play or even if it isn’t. Voters aren’t asking for a saint. They’re asking for someone who will show up, take questions, and keep their footing when the temperature rises. If you can’t handle a debate stage, Austin will eat you alive.

We’re tired of candidates treating basic accountability like an optional add-on. If the posts are ugly, deal with them like an adult. If the media coverage feels unfair, make your case in public. But skipping the one event meant to let regular people compare the choices is the worst look of all. Show up or step aside..