Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton met Wednesday night for their second and final debate in Kansas. Polls show a toss-up in a state that is normally solidly Republican, with less than two weeks until Election Day 1. Election analysts also rate the race a toss-up 2.
Hamilton is a megachurch pastor and a first-time candidate. He described himself as an "independent-minded Democrat" 1. Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since the 1930s 2.
The Schumer fight
Marshall's main attack was to tie Hamilton to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat. NBC News counted 17 mentions of Schumer during the hourlong debate 1.
I’ve already said I wouldn’t support Chuck Schumer for Senate Majority Leader if Democrats control the Senate
Hamilton has promised not to back Schumer for party leader 1. He also criticized the Biden administration's handling of the southern border, calling the policy at the time "a disaster" 2.
My opponent’s going to say anything he can to lie to get into that office and give control to Chuck Schumer
Trump, tariffs and the Iran war
Marshall defended most of President Donald Trump's agenda. He said "The tariffs are working," and he defended Trump's recent deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports 1. Hamilton answered that tariffs are alienating trading partners and allies, saying they are creating "instability, chaos and corruption" 1.
Hamilton criticized Marshall for backing the Iran war "again and again." Marshall said he wants the conflict to end as soon as possible 1. The Hill reports that Marshall's ties to Trump and the unpopular Iran war, along with a tough national climate for Republicans, are helping Hamilton 2.
Asked for one disagreement with Trump, Marshall cited ICE raids on meatpacking plants in southwest Kansas. ICE is Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He also said he opposes the White House plan to import foreign beef to lower costs 12.
Personal questions
Both men faced questions about controversies. Marshall denied reports that he sued hundreds of patients over unpaid medical bills when he was a doctor, calling the allegations "blatant lies" 1.
Hamilton was asked whether his church properly handled reports of child sex abuse. He has denied wrongdoing. A Kansas City Star report found the church conducted an internal investigation and reported the suspect to police 1. Hamilton said police found the matter inconclusive and did not press charges. He added, "I should have checked to make sure that he wasn’t going back. That was a mistake on my part" 1.
What happens next
Republicans are spending heavily to hold the seat. Trump held a rally near Wichita on Monday, and a top Republican super PAC launched a $14 million negative ad campaign against Hamilton 1. Trump told the crowd, "you’re sort of tending toward the purple" 1.
Decision Desk HQ, The Hill's election data partner, still has Marshall narrowly favored, with 65 percent odds 2. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.
That matters because a Republican seat in a state Trump has carried by more than 10 points in each of his elections is now in play 2. Every Senate seat counts in the fight for control of the chamber.
The Record
Sources
- NBC News, “Roger Marshall and Adam Hamilton face off in fiery final Kansas Senate debate” (2026-10-22). nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/roger-marshall-adam-hamil
- The Hill, “Marshall, Hamilton clash in battleground Kansas Senate debate: 4 takeaways” (2026-10-22). thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6164323-marshall-hamilton-clas
Found an error? Tell the newsroom. Corrections are noted at the top of the story.
