As Midterm Election Day approaches, Kansas’ races for Senate, governor and attorney general are within a few percentage points of one another, setting up heavy competition ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Republicans enter the election with a 218-214 edge in the House of Representatives and a 53-47 majority in the Senate, according to Reuters. In Kansas, more than forty candidate campaigns have spent over $71 million, highlighting the scale of the state’s election campaigns.
Senate | Roger Marshall, Adam Hamilton
In the Senate race, Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton are competing for the seat, with polling showing a narrow gap.
Marshall’s campaign focuses on protecting traditional values, national security and maintaining President Donald Trump’s economic agenda, according to his campaign materials.
Outlining his primary legislative priorities, Marshall said his focus is on national security and fiscal policy.
“I want to make sure we have secure borders … strong military, and lower taxes,” Marshall said.
Hamilton’s campaign focuses on economic affordability, healthcare access and bipartisan cooperation.
During an Oct. 21 debate with Marshall, Hamilton said he would work across party lines to address Kansans’ problems.
“My aim is if I’m elected … I’m going to work across the aisle,” Hamilton said. “Try to bring people together to solve problems … I’m going to speak up for us [Kansans].”
MS NOW polls give Hamilton a narrow lead with 45.9% and Marshall at 45.6%, a .3 percentage-point difference.
Kansas governor | Ty Masterson, Cindy Holscher
Republican Ty Masterson and Democrat Cindy Holscher lead the race for governor.
Masterson’s campaign focuses on cutting taxes, crime prevention and opposition to what he calls “wokeness” in Kansas. On his campaign website, Masterson describes “wokeness” as a disease and pledges to fight its spread.
Holscher said her priorities are around public education and cost relief.
“I want to make sure we’re creating an environment that is for generations to come,” Holscher said. “That also means ensuring we fully fund education. General ed as well as special ed … and make housing more affordable.”
This is yet another close race, with MS NOW placing Masterson at 48.2% and Holscher at 45%.
Kansas attorney general | Kris Kobach, Chris Mann
In the race for Kansas attorney general, Republican Kris Kobach faces Democrat Chris Mann.
Kobach’s campaign focuses on conservative leadership, immigration enforcement and defending Kansas laws in court. Kobach said his goal is to focus on illegal immigration and the tax cuts he said immigrants are offered.
“My office has been litigating [tax cut] issue[s],” Kobach said. “We don’t want illegal aliens to be treated better than U.S. citizens.”
Mann, a former police officer and opponent of Kobach, focuses on law enforcement support, leading anti-fraud efforts and consumer protection. He said he doesn’t have a political agenda and wants to aid the public.
“I don’t come into this office with a political agenda,” Mann said in an interview with KSTV5. “I come at it from a position of public service.”
Polling currently shows Kobach is in the lead with 47%, with Mann close behind at 46%.
