Democrat Adam Hamilton Elected to U.S. Senate

Democrat Adam Hamilton has been elected to the U.S. Senate, marking the first time a Democrat has won a Senate seat in Kansas since 1932. Hamilton, the pastor of the largest United Methodist church in the country, ran as an 'independent-minded Democrat.'

Hamilton's victory came in a race that set a record for fundraising in Kansas history. His campaign broke multiple fundraising records, with the race being the most expensive in the state's history.

Hamilton's decision to run as an 'independent-minded Democrat' rather than as an independent was influenced by concerns that running as an independent might split the vote and lead to Republican Senator Jerry Marshall's re-election.

The campaign featured personal attacks, including claims by Marshall's team that Hamilton protected a ped, and church records show the initial investigation into the allegations was inconclusive, and Hamilton later stated he was not involved in the decision to allow the volunteer to return.

Marshall's campaign also targeted Hamilton with an attack ad surrounding claims that Hamilton protected a pedophile, using a former patient who sued Marshall for predatory interest rates. Hamilton's campaign used one of Marshall's former patients in an attack ad.

National Republicans focused on encouraging Trump voters to turn out, with the president and vice president visiting Kansas twice this election season. Despite these efforts, polls showed Hamilton maintaining a lead.