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Kansas Senate race could break GOP streak
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Democrat Adam Hamilton, a megachurch pastor, challenges Republican Senator Roger Marshall in Kansas. Kansas hasn't elected a Democratic senator since 1932, the longest streak of any state.
Background
Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the US Senate since 1932, the longest streak of any state. Hamilton, founder of the largest Methodist denomination in the US, won the Democratic primary with 35% of the vote and has broken fundraising records. National Democrats see a potential pickup as Trump's approval ratings slump and the Iran war affects prices.
How it unfolded
- 1932George McGill, a Democrat, wins a full Senate term in Kansas; no Democrat has won since.
- 1974Republican Bob Dole nearly loses his re-election bid, but Republicans have won every Senate race since.
- recentlyAdam Hamilton wins the Democratic primary with 35% of the vote and breaks a quarterly fundraising record.
- recentlyForecasters say the race has grown more competitive, though Marshall is still favored.
Who’s saying what
- Democrat
- Hamilton says tariffs, healthcare, immigration, and the Iran war are hurting Kansans, making Marshall vulnerable.
- Analysts
- Forecasters like Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball see the race as more competitive but still favor Marshall.
- Republican
- Marshall, an ally of Trump, has not commented; his campaign did not respond to requests.
- Expert
- Bob Beatty, a political scientist, says Hamilton's communication skills from preaching could make for a very competitive race.
Still unverified
Schumer's prediction that a 'blue wave' could carry Hamilton to victory is an opinion, not a fact.