Sen.-elect Hamilton reflects on why Kansas voters chose a Democrat for U.S. Senate

Kansas will send a Democrat to the U.S. Senate for the first time since 1932, after Adam Hamilton, a pastor who leads the largest United Methodist congregation in the country, unseated Republican incumbent Roger Marshall on Tuesday. The result is one of several Democratic midterm gains in traditionally Republican states, according to PBS NewsHour.

Speaking with PBS NewsHour's Amna Nawaz, the senator-elect credited voter anger over Washington. He said lifelong Republican voters in Kansas had come to view federal conduct as cruel, immoral and corrupt, and wanted something different. Hamilton tied his campaign style to 38 years in ministry, describing himself as someone who listens, cares and fights for people.

He also said he will not back Chuck Schumer for majority leader, though he meant no disrespect and admitted he barely knows him; he wants newer, unifying figures. Asked about President Trump's choice of Stephen Miller as chief of staff, Hamilton said Miller appears to be behind policies on immigration, tariffs, the Iran war and shrinking federal agencies, which makes cooperation hard. Nawaz also raised voter concern over corruption and Robert Garcia's plan to investigate the Trump family.

Summarized by PolitiKool from PBS NewsHour’s reporting. Read the full story at PBS NewsHour →