Kansas Senate Race Passes $84.5 Million, Breaking State Spending Record
Ad spending by the two major-party candidates has already topped the $49.1 million spent in 2020 as outside groups pour in additional funds before Tuesday's vote.
By Jack Weber ·
Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and Democratic challenger Rev. Adam Hamilton have driven spending in their Kansas Senate race past $84.5 million, according to ad tracking firm AdImpact. That total exceeds the prior state record of $49.1 million set during Marshall's first Senate run in 2020. Libertarian candidate David Graham also appears on Tuesday's ballot.
Campaign finance records filed Oct. 14 show the Hamilton campaign has spent more than $16 million this cycle, while Marshall's campaign reported just over $6 million. Outside organizations account for most of the money in the race. AdImpact reported spending is up 3,332% compared with the 2022 Kansas Senate contest.
Outside groups have reserved more than $27 million in ads supporting Marshall, with at least $8.5 million more planned, and more than $34 million backing Hamilton, with $14 million more expected. The Senate Leadership Fund has spent at least $11 million in Kansas after moving money from North Carolina earlier in October, running both anti-Hamilton and pro-Marshall ads.
The largest spender opposing Marshall is the Kansas-based People over Politics Action Fund, which has spent more than $11 million. The group has ties to former independent Senate candidate Greg Orman, who contributed $50,000 in July as one of its first donors. Lower Costs Now, a Democratic super PAC, has spent nearly $6 million against Marshall and $4.5 million for him, according to PaidForPolitics. Main Street Fund, a Republican-affiliated super PAC formed on Kansas' primary election day, has spent nearly $4.6 million against Hamilton as of Oct. 21.
Since the August primary, Marshall's campaign has focused on Hamilton's past sermons and a child sex abuse incident at the church's youth camp two decades ago. Hamilton has criticized Marshall's ties to Florida and his medical debt collection practices from his time as an OB-GYN in central Kansas. The contest has drawn national attention as both parties work toward Senate control, and AdImpact reported the 2026 cycle is the most expensive nationwide on record.
Voters go to the polls Tuesday.
