Who is Adam Hamilton and what is Hamilton running on in the 2026 Kansas Senate race?

Adam Hamilton is the Democratic candidate for Kansas U.S. Senate. Founding pastor of the Church of the Resurrection (Leawood), the largest United Methodist congregation in the U.S.; no prior elected office. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The race

• The seat: Incumbent Roger Marshall (R) seeking second term.
• Rating: Likely R (Cook, Sabato, Inside Elections).
• Polling: Marshall 49, Hamilton 44 (co/efficient (R), Sept 8 to 10, 2026); Hamilton 44, Marshall 43 (Global Strategy Group (D), Aug 12 to 16, 2026).

Why Hamilton is behind

• Kansas lean: Democrats haven’t come within single digits of winning a Kansas Senate seat in more than 50 years.
• Incumbency and Trump’s endorsement for Marshall.
• Polls are unusually close (within 1 to 5 points) as Hamilton, a well-known megachurch pastor, attacks tariffs and rising costs.
• Hamilton is a first-time candidate who won a crowded primary with only 34.6%.

What Hamilton is running on

• Cost of living. Centers his campaign on family affordability and rising prices.
• Tariffs / agriculture. Criticizes Trump’s tariffs and higher input costs for farmers and ranchers.
• Foreign policy. Opposes U.S. military action in Iran.
• Representation. Says Marshall doesn’t listen to Kansans and promises a senator who listens and tells the truth.

In Hamilton’s own words

“The average American family is paying $200 a month more for the same things than they were paying a year ago.”

“We need a senator who will speak up for their people, one who listens, tells the truth and has one guiding principle.”

The other candidates

• Roger Marshall (R)

Every race

See every Senate and governor race on the ballot, with each candidate’s chance of winning: the 2026 midterms at a glance.