Leawood Pastor Adam Hamilton Enters Kansas U.S. Senate Race as Democrat to Challenge Roger Marshall Adam Hamilton, the pastor of the largest United Methodist Church in the United States, officially announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on April 30, 2026, in Prairie Village, Kansas. The announcement marked a significant shift for the Resurrection Methodist Church leader, who had previously hinted at running as an independent candidate but ultimately chose to join the Democratic primary race against incumbent Republican Sen. Roger Marshall. Hamilton’s decision to run as a Democrat comes amid a crowded field of Democratic contenders, with at least eight candidates vying to replace Marshall, who has held the Senate seat since 2015. Hamilton’s campaign is rooted in his experience as a church leader, emphasizing the importance of bridging political divides and addressing pressing issues facing Kansans. During his announcement event at Harmon Park in Prairie Village, he spoke about the challenges of modern politics, including rising living costs, limited access to healthcare in rural areas, and the impact of tariffs and government shutdowns. “Instead of solving our big problems, it feels like our politicians are fighting one another trying to score political points,” he said. “Instead of making things better, it feels like often they’re making things worse.” The pastor’s candidacy has already drawn attention from political opponents. The Kansas Republican Party filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging that Hamilton improperly used church resources to promote his campaign.#kansas #adam_hamilton #resurrection_methodist_church #roger_marshall #federal_election_commission
Johnson County Pastor Launches Bid for U.S. Senate Pastor Adam Hamilton of the Church of the Resurrection in Johnson County, Kansas, announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Thursday, marking a significant political move for the leader of the nation’s largest United Methodist church. The announcement came during a news conference in Prairie Village, where Hamilton emphasized his commitment to bridging political divides and representing the values of Kansans. His campaign website, hamiltonforkansas.com, launched simultaneously, signaling the formal start of his bid. Hamilton, who previously explored running as an independent candidate against incumbent Senator Roger Marshall, R-Kan., ultimately decided to join the Democratic Party. During the press event, he explained that his decision was influenced by feedback from voters during a listening session, who encouraged him to run as a Democrat. “I think this is probably the only pathway to getting elected to Congress is being a part of one of those two parties,” he stated. “I’m excited to be a Democrat, an independently-minded Democrat, who’s going to work really hard to build bridges across the political aisle.” Supporters at the announcement included members of his congregation, some of whom expressed optimism about his moderate approach. Ed Schulteis, a longtime Republican voter, praised Hamilton’s focus on kindness and community care, saying, “We appreciate his values and I’d like to see some change up in Washington, D.C.” Max Sherman, another attendee, added, “We like the sense of being in the middle.” Hamilton’s campaign has drawn attention from political observers, including Jan Kessinger, a former state senator and Republican who ran a PAC in 2024 to support centrist candidates.#adam_hamilton #church_of_the_resurrection #johnson_county #prairie_village #kansas_senate_race
