In a historic upset following a high-stakes nationally-watched campaign, Democrat challenger, pastor Adam Hamilton, defeated incumbent Republican Sen. Dr. Roger Marshall in Tuesday’s midterm election, according to final, unofficial returns. Hamilton’s victory marks the first time in 94 years that Kansas voters have elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate, ending a Republican winning streak dating back to 1932.
In a concession speech in Wichita, Marshall promised he would “keep fighting for this great nation.” He called serving our state in the Senate, “the great honor of my life.” After his victory, Hamilton addressed a crowd saying “Kansans want Republicans and Democrats to work together to actually solve problems, to meet in the middle. We represent the heart of America, and we’re tired of the division.”
The fiercely-contested race drew massive national spending and saw two presidential visits to Kansas as both parties vied for the crucial seat. Hamilton defeated Sen. Marshall by 53,000 votes.
In the Kansas 4th District for Congress, Representative Ron Estes was elected to a fifth term in the U.S. House, 54% to 44% over challenger Katy Tyndell. Democrat Tyndell won by less than 2,000 votes in Sedgwick County, but every other county in the district was carried by Congressman Estes.
The race for Kansas governor is too close to call. Democrat Cindy Holscher has a lead of more than 5,000 votes over Ty Masterson with all precincts reporting, but mail-in and provisional ballots will still be counted through Friday. Holscher defeated Masterson by more than 8,000 votes in Sedgwick County. Voter turnout in Sedgwick County was about 52%.
A $615 million bond issue for Wichita public schools USD 259 was passed, with both questions on the ballot approved by voters. Proposition 1 passed with 61% of the vote, and Prop 2 passed as well, by nearly the same margin, both passing by nearly 21,000 votes. The comprehensive proposal will fund large-scale infrastructure and building improvements across USD 259 campuses. The bond-issue proposals passed despite opponents raising concerns about the total cost and tax impacts.
In the race for Kansas Attorney General, incumbent Republican Kris Kobach is more than 11,000 votes behind Democrat Chris Mann, who had a nearly 9,000 vote margin over Kobach in Sedgwick County. Votes remain to be counted in this race.
In a race for the Sedgwick County commission, Democrat challenger Sarah McMillen from Kechi defeated Republican incumbent Pete Meitzner with 52% of the vote, by about 2,000 votes. McMillen will be the lone Democrat on the Sedgwick County commission. Meitzner's defeat comes after 15 years in Wichita and Sedgwick County politics.
Also on the county commission, incumbent Republican Jim Howell was re-elected, more than 4,000 votes in front of Libertarian challenger Olivia Hayse, with more than 57% of the vote.
