Adam Hamilton, founder of the nation's largest United Methodist church, is challenging five-term incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall in Kansas, seeking to become the first Democrat to win a Senate seat from the state since 1932. The race has drawn national attention as Republicans and Democrats clash over faith, values, and the future direction of the traditionally red state.
Hamilton built his Church of the Resurrection from a few members meeting in a funeral home chapel in 1990 into a 25,000-member congregation with nine locations across the Kansas City area. He describes himself as a centrist running on "bringing people together," noting that his congregation is nearly evenly split between Democrats, Republicans and independents. If elected, Hamilton plans to continue as senior pastor, preaching 12 to 18 times per year while serving in Congress.
Marshall, 66, is a fifth-generation Kansas farm boy who became an obstetrician before entering politics. He has focused on rallying rural conservatives, a strategy that has worked consistently for Republicans in the state. Marshall argued Hamilton "doesn't know a heifer from a steer" and warned that Senate control could shift if Hamilton wins.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats see Hamilton as a rare opportunity to break through in a historically Republican state. His supporters argue his pastoral background gives him credibility with moderate voters who might otherwise back Republicans, particularly on issues of character and decency.
Hamilton has emphasized kitchen-table concerns, criticizing Republican cuts to federal programs for the poor such as food assistance and Medicaid coverage. "I just want to know, when did it become 'woke' to care for your neighbor?" he asked at a campaign event in Emporia.
Retired teacher Jann Briggs, who attended Hamilton's event with friends, said his message resonated: "Finally, somebody who's speaking the right words." She brought copies of his latest book for him to sign. Voters like Nolan Guyer, a 72-year-old Navy veteran, said they initially worried about supporting a minister but were won over by Hamilton's positions on keeping religion separate from government.
Hamilton has also evolved on LGBTQ+ issues, supporting changes that allowed the United Methodist Church to ordain and marry LGBTQ+ individuals in 2024. His church now has a Queer Inclusive Collective ministry and participates in Pride events. "One small part of my ministry has been trying to make sure that people who felt alienated from the church and pushed away knew that Christ welcomed them," he said.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans have launched aggressive attacks against Hamilton, questioning both his theology and his policy positions. Marshall called Hamilton "too woke for Kansas" in an interview with reporters.
Conservative critics have also tried to use Hamilton's religious leadership against him by suggesting his sermons prove he's too liberal for Kansas or that he is a heretic. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas declared that Hamilton had rejected "the central tenets of Christianity" after Hamilton cited New Testament passages arguing that non-Christians can receive "the saving grace of Jesus" after death, avoiding eternal torment in Hell. Marshall thanked Cruz for raising the issue.
Republican political action committees have attacked Hamilton on climate change, claiming he urged his congregation to repent for eating beef based on a misleading combination of two separate sermon clips from 2020. Another ad claimed that Hamilton's church helped pay for a drag queen story hour for children — a claim his campaign denies.
Marshall argued the race comes down to partisan loyalty: "His party is too crazy for Kansas." He has also blamed Hamilton for a split in the United Methodist Church over LGBTQ+ clergy ordination, despite Hamilton working to prevent that split by backing a local option plan.
What the Numbers Show
Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932 — nearly a century. Democrats have not come within 10 percentage points of winning a Kansas Senate race in more than 50 years. The state routinely elects Republican senators but has also protected abortion rights and regularly elected Democratic governors, creating an unusual political landscape.
Hamilton raised significant funds from his national profile as the author of more than 30 books on Christian theology. He built his church into the nation's largest United Methodist congregation with nine locations. Marshall won his 2024 Senate race with about 57% of the vote against a little-funded Democratic opponent, reflecting typical margins in Kansas federal races.
Kansas has a sizable bloc of moderate voters who have supported both Republican senators and Democratic governors, suggesting potential room for a crossover candidate — but historical patterns strongly favor Republicans in Senate contests.
The Bottom Line
The Hamilton-Marshall race represents an unusual test case for Democrats seeking to compete in traditionally red states by running culturally conservative candidates. Hamilton's pastoral credibility could appeal to religious moderates, while his positions on abortion and LGBTQ+ rights align with Kansas voters who have rejected restrictions despite Republican dominance in federal races.
The outcome will depend heavily on whether Hamilton can motivate secular liberal voters while also persuading center-right churchgoers — all while fending off attacks on both his theology and his policies. Republicans are betting that partisan polarization and the heresy controversy will outweigh any crossover appeal. If Hamilton prevails, it would mark a historic breakthrough for Democrats in Kansas and could reshape strategies for future races in similar states.