Kansas Senate Candidates Distance Themselves From Party Leadership

Clear Facts

• Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton debated Wednesday night in a race that could decide Senate control.
• Both candidates tried to separate themselves from unpopular elements of their national parties.
• Marshall defended his medical practice’s billing practices while Hamilton admitted a mistake in handling a church volunteer controversy.

The debate opened with pointed personal questions for both candidates.

Marshall faced scrutiny over a New York Times report that his former practice had sued more than 700 patients for unpaid bills.

“Every year we gave away $3 to $4 million of charity, but we also had a business,” Marshall said.

“We had 300 employees, we had a mortgage payment, we had electric.”

Hamilton was questioned about his handling of a volunteer at his church’s summer camp who was alleged to be a sexual predator.

“I should have checked to make sure that he wasn’t going back,” Hamilton said.

“That was a mistake on my part.”

Marshall warned voters that electing Hamilton would help give Senate control to Democrats and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Hamilton tried to present himself as a moderate willing to break with his party on key issues.

The moderator showed footage of President Donald Trump campaigning for Marshall earlier in the week.

Marshall said he does not support every part of Trump’s agenda and cited disagreements over immigration enforcement and beef imports.

“Just like with my wife, I can disagree with her,” Marshall said.

“My wife is always right. And President Trump is not always right.”

Marshall still urged Trump supporters to turn out and vote for him.

“We need the Trump voters to come out,” Marshall said.

“If you want the Trump agenda to continue, if you want secure borders, if you want a strong military, if you want lower taxes, then you — and you voted for President Trump — you need to come out.”

Hamilton broke with former President Joe Biden over border policy.

“The Biden policies when it came to the border were a disaster,” Hamilton said.

“I believe in strong and secure borders.”

Hamilton said he would not support Schumer for majority leader if Democrats take the Senate.

Both candidates agreed on the number of genders when asked.

“There’s two. There’s a boy and there’s a girl,” Marshall said.

“There are two genders, male and female,” Hamilton responded.

Hamilton said he opposes biological males competing in girls’ sports against his granddaughter.

He called it “not a fair fight” and said such decisions should be handled locally.

The Kansas Senate race has become unexpectedly competitive in the final weeks of the campaign.

Marshall is seeking a second term in a state that has not elected a Democratic U.S. senator since 1932.

Trump campaigned for Marshall in Kansas on Monday as Republicans work to hold the seat.

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