Another former GOP governor backs Hamilton over Marshall for Kansas Senate
Former Kansas governor Mike Hayden (R) endorsed Democrat Adam Hamilton for the U.S. Senate in an op-ed published Friday in The Wichita Eagle, becoming the second ex-Republican governor to back Hamilton ahead of the November contest. Hayden cited Hamilton’s willingness to listen to constituents and pursue practical solutions; Bill Graves (R) had previously endorsed Hamilton last month.
Why It Matters
Endorsements from two former Republican governors signal intra-party fractures and could affect perceptions of the race in a deeply red state; the seat has not been held by a Democrat for nearly a century, making these cross-party endorsements notable in a competitive contest. Other indicators, including a September Emerson College poll and a Decision Desk HQ forecast, show the race remains tight even as some models favor the incumbent.
Key Facts
- Endorsement: Mike Hayden (R), governor of Kansas from 1987 to 1991, endorsed Adam Hamilton (D) in an op-ed in The Wichita Eagle.
- Other GOP endorsement: Former Gov. Bill Graves (R) also endorsed Hamilton last month over his party's nominee, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.).
- Seat history: The Senate seat has not been held by a Democrat for nearly a century.
- Polling: An Emerson College poll in September showed Hamilton leading within the margin of error.
- Race outlook: Decision Desk HQ predicted the seat is likely to be won by Marshall, though the race is viewed as potentially competitive.
Former Kansas governor Mike Hayden, a Republican who led the state from 1987 to 1991, published an op-ed in The Wichita Eagle on Friday endorsing Democrat Adam Hamilton in the upcoming U.S. Senate race. Hayden said he backed Hamilton because the Democrat will push for relief and practical solutions and will listen to constituents — describing his support as consistent with the reasons he first ran for office decades ago. Hayden is the second former GOP governor to publicly support Hamilton. Former Gov. Bill Graves broke with the party’s nominee last month, saying Sen. Roger Marshall had “turned his back” on Kansas and praising Hamilton’s ability to “disagree without being disagreeable.” Together, the endorsements illustrate an unusual level of cross-party backing in a state that has not elected a Democrat to that Senate seat in nearly 100 years. The contest remains competitive by several measures. A September Emerson College poll showed Hamilton ahead within the poll’s margin of error, suggesting a close race in the deep-red state. At the same time, Decision Desk HQ projects the seat is likely to be retained by incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall, indicating polls and forecasts differ on the race’s outcome. Hamilton posted on the social platform X that he is honored by Hayden’s endorsement, praising the former governor’s lengthy public service and saying Hayden exemplifies leadership that puts party aside to deliver for working families. The endorsements add a notable political dynamic to the November contest as both parties continue to campaign in Kansas.
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Original source: The Hill