Marshall and Hamilton clash over Iran, tariffs and Schumer in final Kansas Senate debate
In short
Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton held their second and final Kansas Senate debate on Wednesday night, with less than two weeks until Election Day. NBC News described a contentious hourlong exchange over the Iran war, immigration enforcement, healthcare and tariffs. Election handicappers have rated the race a toss-up.
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Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democratic nominee Adam Hamilton met on Wednesday night for their second and final Kansas Senate debate, with less than two weeks until Election Day. NBC News described the event as contentious and said polls show a toss-up in Kansas. Marshall and Hamilton traded criticism over the Iran war, immigration enforcement, healthcare and tariff policy, NBC News reported. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
The Hill said the debate was due to start at 7 p.m. CDT in Kansas City, Mo., and run for one hour, with questions on issues such as economic growth, infrastructure and healthcare. The Hill said Nexstar Media Group, its parent company, hosted the event, while another Hill item said Nexstar affiliate WDAF hosted it. [ 1 , 4 ]
Hamilton, a megachurch pastor and first-time candidate, presented himself as an "independent-minded Democrat". "I'm somebody who stands in the middle," he said. Marshall repeatedly cast Hamilton as an ally of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and mentioned him 17 times, NBC News reported. "My opponent's going to say anything he can to lie to get into that office and give control to Chuck Schumer," Marshall said. NBC News noted that Hamilton has promised he would not support Schumer for party leader if elected. [ 5 ]
Both candidates faced questions about controversies at the start. Marshall rejected reports that he sued hundreds of patients over unpaid medical bills when he was a practicing doctor, calling them "blatant lies". Hamilton was asked whether his church properly handled reports of child sex abuse. He denied having signed off on the suspect's returning to the church camp but said it was a mistake on his part not to check. [ 5 ]
Marshall defended most of President Donald Trump's agenda, including the president's deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports, and defended tariffs on U.S. allies. "The tariffs are working," he said. [ 5 ]
The Hill reported that the race has tightened in recent weeks, raising concern among Republicans that Hamilton could oust Marshall. Sabato's Crystal Ball and The Cook Political Report have moved the race to a toss-up. Marshall and Hamilton were tied in a New York Times survey conducted at the end of last month. At a Sept. 12 debate hosted by KWCH 12 News at the Kansas State Fair, the two sparred over tariffs and military operations against Iran, and Marshall faced jeers and protesters shouting "shame on you" during his answers. Marshall has called Hamilton a "megachurch pastor" and "woke". [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The Hill and NBC News describe a race that has tightened in a state that has historically elected Republicans to the U.S. Senate. The Hill reported that Republicans are concerned Hamilton could unseat Marshall.
Key facts
- Sen. Roger Marshall (R) and Democratic nominee Adam Hamilton held their second and final debate on Wednesday evening, with less than two weeks until Election Day. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The Hill said the debate was due to start at 7 p.m. CDT in Kansas City, Mo., and run for one hour. [ 1 ]
- Sabato's Crystal Ball and The Cook Political Report have shifted the race to a toss-up, The Hill reported. [ 1 ]
- NBC News said Marshall mentioned Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer 17 times during the hourlong debate. [ 5 ]
- Marshall called reports that he sued hundreds of patients over unpaid medical bills when he was a practicing doctor "blatant lies", NBC News reported. [ 5 ]
- Hamilton, a megachurch pastor and first-time candidate, was pressed on whether his church properly handled reports of child sex abuse; he said "I should have checked to make sure that he wasn't going back. That was a mistake on my part." [ 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Who hosted the debate: The Hill said Nexstar Media Group hosted it, while another Hill item said Nexstar affiliate WDAF hosted it. The two Hill items describe the host differently; no other outlet in the documents names the host.
- Whether Marshall's claim that Hamilton would give control to Chuck Schumer is accurate. NBC News reported that Hamilton has promised he would not support Schumer for party leader if elected.
- The truth of the reports that Marshall sued hundreds of patients over unpaid medical bills. NBC News reported Marshall's denial; no document gives further detail on the reports.