Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
Former Kansas governor backs Democrat in close Senate race
Former Kansas Republican governor Bill Graves endorsed Democrat Adam Hamilton in his challenge to Republican Senator Roger Marshall.
The race is in Kansas, a state that has long been strongly Republican.
Polls show Hamilton one point ahead of Marshall, making the contest a close one as midterm elections approach.
Graves said he doubts Trump’s rallies will bring out enough Republican voters and likened attending one to going to a carnival sideshow.
Trump is due to return to the campaign trail in Kansas, where his appearance may draw attention to the Senate contest.
The election will decide whether Hamilton can unseat Marshall, but the sources do not say what will happen after Trump’s visit.
Former Kansas governor Bill Graves is backing Democrat Adam Hamilton in his challenge to Republican Senator Roger Marshall.
Graves, a former Republican, said he doubts Donald Trump’s rallies will successfully increase Republican voter turnout.
He compared attending a Trump rally to going to a “freak show at the carnival.”
A CBS News report said polls showed Marshall one point behind Hamilton in Kansas.
- Who
- Former Kansas governor Bill Graves is backing Democrat Adam Hamilton, who is challenging incumbent Senator Roger Marshall.
- What
- Graves endorsed Hamilton and criticized Trump’s rallies.
- When
- The articles were published on October 19, 2026.
- Where
- Kansas.
- Why
- Graves said he doubts Trump’s rallies will successfully drive Republican voter turnout.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Endorsement
- Bill Graves backed Democrat Adam Hamilton
- Senate race
- Adam Hamilton is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall
- Poll standing
- CBS News reported Marshall was one point behind Hamilton
- State
- Kansas
3 sources
What people are saying
Going to a Trump rally is kind of like going to the freak show at the carnival.