By — Amna Nawaz Amna Nawaz By — Kyle Midura Kyle Midura By — Ali Schmitz Ali Schmitz Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/sen-elect-hamilton-reflects-on-why-kansas-voters-chose-a-democrat-for-u-s-senate Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Democrats’ midterm wins have reached red states across the country, including Kansas, which has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1932. That will soon change after Rev. Adam Hamilton, who leads the largest United Methodist church in the country, defeated Republican incumbent Roger Marshall Tuesday night. Amna Nawaz speaks with Sen.-elect Hamilton for more. Listen to this Segment By — Amna Nawaz Amna Nawaz Amna Nawaz serves as co-anchor and co-managing editor of PBS News Hour. @IAmAmnaNawaz By — Kyle Midura Kyle Midura By — Ali Schmitz Ali Schmitz
Sen.-elect Hamilton reflects on why Kansas voters chose a Democrat for U.S. Senate
In short
Democrat Rev. Adam Hamilton has officially secured a seat in the U.S. Senate following his victory on Tuesday night. He unseated Republican incumbent Roger Marshall in an outcome that defies the state's long-standing voting patterns. Hamilton, who leads the largest United Methodist church in the nation, helped deliver a rare statewide win in an area that had not backed a Democratic candidate for the chamber in decades. The result underscores growing Democratic gains across traditional red states during the midterm elections.
Key points
- The race demonstrates the Democratic Party's expanding reach and competitiveness within h…: The race demonstrates the Democratic Party's expanding reach and competitiveness within historically conservative states.
- Kansas voters broke a nine-decade streak of sending exclusively Republican lawmakers to t…: Kansas voters broke a nine-decade streak of sending exclusively Republican lawmakers to the U.S. Senate.
- The upset against a sitting incumbent contributes to broader nationwide midterm victories…: The upset against a sitting incumbent contributes to broader nationwide midterm victories for congressional Democrats.