Could disillusioned Kansas voters send their first Democrat to the US Senate in 94 years?
KMI•Democrat Adam Hamilton is running neck and neck with Republican Senator Roger Marshall in Kansas, according to two polls, as rising farm costs and discontent with immigration raids test Republican support. Kansas last elected a Democrat to the Senate 94 years ago.
1. A competitive Kansas race
Hamilton, a megachurch pastor, is running neck and neck with Marshall, according to a New York Times/Siena poll and an Emerson College poll. President Donald Trump won Kansas with more than 57% of the vote in 2024. Democrats need to gain four Senate seats to take control of the chamber.
2. Farm costs weigh on voters
Kansas farmer Vance Ehmke said fuel prices had nearly doubled over the past year, adding $50,000 in unexpected costs. Diesel used for farm equipment is up 70% since the US-Israeli war on Iran began in February. Trump said the Agriculture Department would launch a harvest fuel relief program offering farmers $8 billion to offset diesel costs during harvest.
3. Immigration raids and politics
ICE agents arrested 104 people in several Kansas towns in late September, and the raids slowed operations at major meat processors including Cargill and National Beef. Wichita State University's IKE Lab found a significant September increase in voter registrations in counties where raids took place. Voter Oscar Soto said the events motivated him to register for the first time and that he planned to vote for Hamilton.
