Trump Stumps for Marshall as Kansas Senate Seat Rated Toss-Up
Cook and Sabato now rate the race even; Kansas hasn't sent a Democrat to the Senate since 1932
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Sign up freePARK CITY, Kan. — President Donald Trump visited Park City on Monday, Oct. 19, to support Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall as Kansas' Senate race draws national attention.
The rally at Heartland Credit Union Arena included Attorney General Kris Kobach, U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann and gubernatorial candidate Ty Masterson.
Marshall faces Democrat Adam Hamilton, a Kansas City-area pastor, and Libertarian David Graham in the Nov. 3 election.
The approximately 6,000-seat arena was about two-thirds full when Trump took the stage. His last Kansas appearance was a 2018 Topeka rally for Kobach's gubernatorial campaign; Monday's visit was the first by a sitting president in the Wichita area in about 20 years.
The Cook Political Report shifted the race from Lean Republican to toss-up on Oct. 6, after moving it from Likely to Lean Republican in September. Sabato's Crystal Ball followed with its own toss-up rating the next week.
Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932, and the Senate Leadership Fund, the main Republican Senate super PAC, has redirected millions in ad spending from more traditional battlegrounds to defend the seat.
Kobach highlighted Kansas' legal challenges to Biden administration policies, including a Title IX regulation concerning gender identity in schools. A Kansas federal judge initially blocked the regulation for the states and organizations involved before a separate Kentucky court later vacated it nationwide. "I never imagined when I was sworn in as attorney general that I would spend so much time litigating in court about what's going on in our schools," Kobach said.
Kobach also urged Republicans to increase voter turnout during the final two weeks of the campaign. "But we have 15 more days to catch the Democrats and overtake them, and get more Republicans to the polls," he said.
Trump praised Marshall and criticized Hamilton throughout his speech. "So with Roger Marshall in the Senate and me as your President, we will always protect your Second Amendment right," Trump said. He also appealed to religious voters, saying, "You know I have the all-time in history Christian vote."
Trump attacked Hamilton over the Church of the Resurrection's response to sexual-abuse allegations involving a former volunteer. Court records show the church's response to a 2005 allegation drew criticism for not immediately contacting law enforcement.
A separate 2006 incident was reported, and Hamilton has not been accused of committing abuse. He has said he would handle the initial allegation differently today.
Trump also criticized former President Joe Biden and promoted his economic record. "All of us here tonight represent the greatest nation in the world, and frankly, our nation was not so great two years ago; it was an embarrassment," Trump said. He also discussed domestic investment, employment and prescription-drug prices, though several of his broader claims lacked supporting context.
Hamilton's campaign said the rally showed Marshall's campaign was "sinking" and accused Republicans of distracting voters from fuel prices, health care and corruption. The rally came 15 days before Election Day as Republicans worked to retain Marshall's seat and control of Congress.
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