Kansas elects first Democratic senator in almost a century

What the report says

Democrat Adam Hamilton has won Kansas’s US Senate seat, defeating Republican incumbent Roger Marshall in a closely watched race, according to Associated Press projections cited by Al Jazeera. The result gives Democrats their first Senate victory in Kansas since 1932 and marks a rare political upset in a state with a long record of Republican wins.

Al Jazeera reported that the contest drew national attention because it could affect control of the US Senate. Hamilton, a Methodist pastor and founder of a large United Methodist church, campaigned on faith-based messaging alongside Democratic priorities such as affordability. His appeal came amid economic pressures in rural areas, where higher diesel and fuel prices have strained agriculture and transportation sectors.

Marshall, a physician and ally of US President Donald Trump, had campaigned on Trump’s agenda and promises tied to rural healthcare and agriculture. The race also featured criticism of Marshall over his support for public-health positions during the pandemic and reporting about medical-debt lawsuits filed against former patients, which Hamilton’s campaign used in attack ads.

The Associated Press said the campaign was the most expensive in Kansas history, at about $110 million. The outcome underscores how competitive the state has become in this cycle, even as Republicans have dominated federal elections there for decades.