Democratic Senate candidate Adam Hamilton says he's fighting for the 'rights of all people'

A close race in Kansas

Hamilton is challenging incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall in a state that has not sent a Democrat to the Senate since 1932. Recent polling cited in the report found the candidates neck-and-neck.

Trump won Kansas by 16 points in 2024. A recent New York Times/Siena poll found that 55% of likely voters disapproved of his performance as president.

Different messages on Hamilton

Hamilton describes himself as an independent-minded Democrat and says he is both liberal and conservative. He has also indicated he would be willing to push back against Democratic leaders if elected.

Marshall has called Hamilton too woke and linked him to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. After an ABC News interview aired, Marshall called him “the ultimate snake oil salesman” on social media and said he had donated to Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Support and criticism on the trail

Philip Perry, a rancher and three-time Trump voter from Oskaloosa, said the race had become unusually dirty and ugly. He said he had met Hamilton at church and praised his work bringing people together in the Kansas City metro area.

Farm costs and campaign outlook

The Iran war has raised costs for gas, diesel fuel and fertilizer, adding pressure on farmers already facing uncertainty about Trump’s tariff policies. Produce grower Bowlin said he worries his family farm, which has operated for decades, may not survive.

Bowlin said he wants a candidate who speaks for American farmers. Rob Fillion, executive director of the Kansas GOP, said Republicans’ main challenge is winning the narrative and predicted the race would be tighter than usual in a midterm year, though he expects Marshall to prevail.