KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With Election Day just two weeks away, Republican U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton faced off in a live FOX4 debate, making their cases to Kansas voters in a race that has tightened in recent weeks.
The one-hour debate covered nearly a dozen topics, with both candidates defending their records and challenging each other on some of the most contentious issues in the campaign.
REPLAY: Sen. Roger Marshall debates Adam Hamilton in US Senate race
The debate opened with attacks the two candidates have lobbed at one another throughout the race.
Marshall defended his role in a controversy involving patients who’ve been arrested over unpaid medical debt, saying the arrests were beyond his control once the accounts were sent to collections.
“We did anything possible to keep them from going to collections. It was a very, very rare situation, but once it was turned over, it was the same process that KU Med would do, Via Christi would do in Wichita. Once we turn them to collections, it was out of our hands,” Marshall said.
Hamilton also addressed criticism surrounding his handling of abuse at a church camp. He acknowledged he wished he had handled the situation differently but maintained that he and his staff played a role in an investigation that ultimately led to the man’s arrest and conviction.
“When he was investigated the next year, we forbade him from working with youth or children anymore. He left our church angry and upset, and again, we played a critical role several years later in getting him arrested and convicted,” Hamilton said.
Takeaways from the Kansas US Senate debate: Roger Marshall vs. Adam Hamilton
Marshall urges Trump supporters to turn out
Marshall made clear he stands with President Donald Trump, appealing directly to the president’s supporters as he seeks another term in the Senate.
“We need the Trump voters to come out, and that would be my appeal tonight to people. If you want the Trump agenda to continue, if you want secure borders, if you want a strong military, if you want lower taxes and you voted for President Trump, you need to come up,” Marshall said.
Hamilton, meanwhile, challenged Marshall over the effects of the administration’s policies on Kansas farmers, an issue that has become a central point of contention in the closely watched race.
“What’s happening in Washington that Roger Marshall is supporting is hurting Kansas farmers, and they’re crying out, saying we don’t want subsidies. What we want is a chance to earn a decent living on our own, and Washington is making it harder and harder and harder. That’s not ok,” Hamilton said.
Marshall pointed to financial relief announced by Trump on Monday, with the president saying the assistance would top $8 billion.
Immigration sparks another clash
Immigration also drew sharp exchanges, with Hamilton criticizing the administration’s enforcement tactics and challenging Marshall’s support for its policies.
“With all of those undocumented children that you delivered, did you also call ICE and ask them to be taken away? What did you do with these people? You had compassion for them in delivering these children, but then support quotas that are going to have people taken away. Hutchinson, Kansas, I was there. There was a preschool teacher arrested in front of her children. That’s just not ok,” Hamilton said.
Marshall argued that securing the southern border remains essential and said Republicans are best positioned to deliver on that promise.
“All this discussion starts with secure borders, and that’s what Republicans will always give you, secure borders. It was just two years ago that millions of people were coming across this country, and we’re still suffering from them,” Marshall said.
Candidates make their closing arguments
As the debate wrapped up, Hamilton called on voters across party lines to support his campaign, promising to bring what he described as decency and compassion to Washington.
“If you want change, then I’d like to ask you to vote for me. Whether you are a Republican, Democrat or independent, I will stand up for you, I will fight for you, and I’m going to make sure in Washington, D.C., we’re acting with decency, compassion, kindness, and we’re doing the right thing for the people in Kansas. Please vote for me,” Hamilton said.
Marshall returned to the core themes of his campaign, emphasizing national security and tax policy.
“Secure borders, stronger military, lower taxes. That’s what Republicans stand for. Secure borders, strong military, lower taxes,” Marshall said.
Marshall vs. Hamilton Senate race could be among closest in Kansas history
Other notable moments from the debate
The candidates also addressed foreign policy and congressional leadership.
Marshall voiced support for Trump’s move involving the purchase of Russian diesel oil, a position that stands out as lawmakers from both parties have raised objections to Russian energy purchases.
The legality of the specific arrangement depends on the details of the transaction and applicable sanctions.
Hamilton also made a notable statement about Senate leadership, saying he would not support Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer as majority leader.
