Kansas Senate Race Draws Record Spending as GOP Fights to Keep 94-Year Winning Streak

Republicans are pouring unprecedented resources into Kansas' U.S. Senate race, fearing Democrat Adam Hamilton could end their 94-year winning streak in the state and threaten their Senate majority. The contest between Hamilton and incumbent Roger Marshall is on track to be the most expensive in state history. Hamilton, a prominent pastor, has significantly outraised Marshall and is capitalizing on voter dissatisfaction with President Trump's economic handling. Republican groups have committed over $26 million in advertising, while Democrats have pledged more than $38 million, with total ad spending projected at $71 million. Marshall is attacking Hamilton as too liberal, while Democrats highlight Marshall's past debt-collection lawsuits against patients. Despite Democratic enthusiasm and surging advance voting, Republicans rely on Kansas' history of GOP-leaning voters returning to the party by Election Day. No Democrat has come within 10 points of winning a Senate race since 1974, though some former Republicans, including a former Roberts chief of staff, are backing Hamilton this cycle.