Kansas farmers' struggles threaten Republican senator's re-election

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 13:26 · Archive

Rising costs and drought are dividing Kansas farmers in a tight Senate race between Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton.

Kansas farmers are facing severe financial pressure that is reshaping the state's traditionally Republican Senate race. One farming family reported their operating costs increased by $737,375 in 2026 compared to the previous year, including $514,625 more for fertilizer and $187,000 more for diesel. Drought cut their crop yields by 20 per cent, while low commodity prices and trade wars reduced their revenue by $325,000 over the same period. Across the state, Kansas lost 700 farms from 2024 to 2025, whilst farm bankruptcies across the Midwest increased 70 per cent.

The financial strain is pushing some traditionally Republican farming families toward Democrat Adam Hamilton, a pastor seeking to become the first Democrat to represent Kansas in the Senate since the 1930s. One long-time Republican farmer, Larry Preisser, said he plans to vote for Hamilton rather than incumbent Senator Roger Marshall, citing disillusionment with Republican leadership. His son, who operates the family's 6,500-acre corn, cotton, soybean and wheat farm, expressed doubts about whether the operation would survive through the next year.

Recent polls show Hamilton has taken a small lead in what is normally a safely Republican state. The race has intensified in the final weeks, with both candidates campaigning heavily. President Trump planned a rally in Kansas to support Marshall, which he cancelled then reinstated as the race tightened.

How it is being reported

• Kansas's panicked GOP senator reduced to claiming his Democrat rival is 'probably grooming children' as Trump jets in to help him amid polls predicting state will go blue for first time since 1932Republican Senator Roger Marshall is facing backlash for saying his surging Democratic opponent Adam Hamilton is 'probably grooming children' after falling behind in the race.Daily Mail · 31 Oct, 13:05
• In tight Kansas Senate race, struggling farmers are splitRising fertilizer and fuel costs, drought and low crop prices have pushed Kansas farms to the edge — scrambling farmers' loyalties in the Senate race between GOP Sen. Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton.CBS News · 29 Oct, 23:36

In this story: Roger Marshall · Adam Hamilton · Kansas · Jeff Preisser · Larry Preisser · Midwest

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log