Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton, a pastor, squared off in their final debate Wednesday night, as new signs emerged that the race is closer than Republicans initially expected. The Nexstar Media Group-hosted event saw both candidates carefully balancing their messages in a state that hasn't sent a Democrat to the Senate since the 1930s.
Hamilton, who at one point weighed an independent bid before joining the Democratic ticket, worked to separate himself from national party figures like former President Biden and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Marshall, meanwhile, leaned into his alliance with President Trump, though he acknowledged some policy disagreements with the commander-in-chief.
Election forecasters have rated the Kansas Senate contest a toss-up, with Decision Desk HQ, The Hill's election data partner, giving Marshall a narrow edge at 65 percent odds. The race has drawn national attention, with Trump rallying in Kansas to boost Marshall's campaign.
Marshall touts Trump ties, Hamilton treads carefully
Marshall framed his candidacy as a direct extension of Trump's agenda, urging voters to back him to continue border security, military strength, and tax cuts. "If you want the Trump agenda to continue, if you want secure borders, if you want a strong military, if you want lower taxes, you voted for President Trump, you need to come out because we delivered on those things," he said.
Pressed on where he diverges from Trump, Marshall cited his criticism of a recent federal immigration operation in Kansas and opposition to the White House's plan to import foreign beef to lower costs. "Just like with my wife, I can disagree with her," Marshall said, adding, "my wife is always right, President Trump is not always right." He stressed that his relationship with Trump allows him to discuss policy differences directly.
Hamilton, aware that Trump won Kansas by more than 10 points in both his elections, avoided attacking the former president. "I just want to say, I'm not running against President Trump," Hamilton said, pointing at Marshall. "I'm running against him." He noted that he has Trump supporters in his corner and welcomed Trump to Kansas earlier this week in a social media post.
Hamilton rejects Democratic establishment label
Marshall repeatedly tried to tie Hamilton to Schumer, Biden, and Obama, but Hamilton pushed back firmly. When Marshall suggested Hamilton helped Obama craft immigration policy, Hamilton responded that he has "been a pastor, not a politician" his entire career and "didn't develop policies with President Obama or anyone else." Obama did appoint Hamilton to the President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in 2016 for a one-year term.
Hamilton reiterated that he would not support Schumer as majority leader if Democrats win the Senate. He also criticized the Biden administration's border policy as "a disaster." Marshall countered, "This guy's funded by Chuck Schumer. He'll be beholden to Chuck Schumer for forever, and that's why we need to keep myself in that Senate seat."
Agreement on transgender athletes
On the culture war front, both candidates found common ground. Asked by moderator John Holt, both said there are two genders and that biological men should not compete in girls' sports. They agreed that local entities, not the federal government, should regulate such matters. Hamilton invoked his 12-year-old granddaughter, saying he doesn't want her competing against "biological men."
Israel policy splits them
The Middle East proved a divisive issue. Hamilton said he supports "a strong defense" for Israel but echoed voter concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "When you talk about dropping bombs on massive population centers and seeing as many as 75,000 people who have been killed, and you're talking lots of civilians, I think most Americans look at that and go, 'Wait, did I do that? Did I provide those weapons?'" he said, while also stating that Hamas, which attacked Israel in October 2023, "needs to be rooted out."
Marshall voiced steadfast support for Israel but declined to specify conditions under which he would back away from U.S. aid. "I'm sure there is, but I'm not sure what it would be," he said.
The debate underscored the tightrope both candidates are walking in a state where the political landscape remains competitive. With Libertarian candidates potentially influencing the outcome, the race could hinge on narrow margins. As the campaign enters its final stretch, both Marshall and Hamilton are fighting for every vote in a contest that could help determine control of the Senate.
