Kansas Senate candidates debate immigration, AI and transgender sports ahead of pivotal midterms
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Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton clashed in Kansas over President Donald Trump, immigration policy, AI regulation and transgender sports in a race that could decide the state’s first Democratic Senate seat since 1932.
Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton faced off in a televised Kansas Senate debate on Wednesday, less than two weeks before the November election. The race, which could deliver the first Democratic Senate seat from Kansas since 1932, has drawn intense national attention as both parties fight for control of the Senate.
The debate began with questions about personal controversies. Marshall defended his former medical practice after a New York Times report cited lawsuits from more than 700 patients, saying the business employed 300 staff and gave several million dollars to charity each year. Hamilton acknowledged a mistake in handling a sexual-abuse allegation involving a volunteer at his church’s summer camp, saying, "I should have checked to make sure that he wasn't going back. That was a mistake on my part."
President Donald Trump’s recent campaign appearance for Marshall was highlighted with video footage. When asked whether Trump’s endorsement required him to back the president’s agenda, Marshall said he had disagreed with Trump on several occasions, pointing to immigration enforcement in southwest Kansas and the administration’s position on beef imports. He added, "Just like with my wife, I can disagree with her. My wife is always right, and President Trump is not always right."
Both candidates said there are two genders. Marshall said he had delivered 5,000 newborns, about half boys and half girls, while Hamilton said, "There are two genders, male and female."
On transgender participation in women’s sports, Hamilton argued that biological males should not compete against females, citing his 12-year-old granddaughter. Marshall said high-school boys should play on boys’ teams and girls on girls’ teams, while accusing national Democrats of pushing "transgender ideology."
The discussion then moved to artificial intelligence. Hamilton called AI an "existential threat" and called for a regulatory body similar to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, though he admitted he could not name specific rules he would support. Marshall argued for a lighter regulatory approach centered on national security, transparency, child protection and privacy, and criticized a one-size-fits-all global framework.
When asked about border policy, Hamilton denounced the current administration’s approach as a "disaster" and stressed his support for "strong and secure borders." He also distanced himself from the Socialist Party and described his political position as centrist.
The debate highlighted how high the stakes are in Kansas, with both candidates urging voters to show up, since the result could help decide control of the Senate.