Kansas and South Carolina Senate Races Shift to Toss-Ups
New polling shows Democratic challengers making traditionally Republican Senate seats in Kansas and South Carolina competitive as voters express frustration over economic affordability.
U.S. Senate races in traditionally Republican strongholds of Kansas and South Carolina have become competitive, according to data from the Cook Political Report. Robert Cahaly, founder and chief pollster for the Trafalgar Group, characterized both contests as toss-ups, attributing the shift to voter frustration over high prices and affordability.
In Kansas, Adam Hamilton, a former Republican and founder of the Resurrection United Methodist Church, is challenging incumbent Senator Roger Marshall. An Emerson College/Nexstar poll shows Hamilton leading Marshall by two points in a state that has not elected a Democratic senator since 1932. Hamilton has positioned himself as a moderate candidate focusing on decency and the economic impact of tariffs and safety net cuts.
Republican leadership has responded by attacking Hamilton's faith and church leadership. Vice President JD Vance and Senator Ted Cruz have accused Hamilton of holding heretical theological views. Meanwhile, Senator Marshall has faced scrutiny following reports that he sued over 700 patients for unpaid bills. In South Carolina, Republican Senator Darline Graham is facing a similarly competitive challenge from Democrat Annie Andrews as the election approaches in 36 days.
