Donald Trump won Kansas by more than 16 points over Kamala Harris in 2024. It is not the sort of state that an incumbent Republican US Senator would be expected to struggle in, but that is exactly what is happening in 2026, as Sen. Roger Marshall is finding himself in an election contest with Democrat Rev. Adam Hamilton.
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Kansas had one of the most interesting and fun environments for a Senate debate, as hundreds of residents filled the bleachers at the Kansas State Fair to watch the Senate candidates debate, and those in attendance were very vocal about their displeasure with Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
The most recent poll found Marshall leading Hamilton 49%-44%, even though Hamilton is not getting top-tier resources and support from Senate Democrats.
The election is close, and voters at the state fair made it very obvious that they are angry.
Sen. Marshall was asked, “ Do you think the president's tariff policies have worked, and are you concerned about long-term ramifications to America's global standing in agriculture?”
Marshall answered, “Look, look, you know, the, the, the, these tariffs were meant to bring manufacturing jobs home, and they improve our exports. And, and guess what? It's working.”
The crowd booed.
Once again, Trump won Kansas by 16 points less than two years ago, and one of his biggest Senate defenders got booed, but this was far from a one-off.
