Methodist megachurch pastor running for US Senate seat in Kansas The pastor of the nation’s largest Methodist church, the Rev. Adam Hamilton, has launched a campaign for the Democratic nomination in the U.S. Senate race in Kansas. The move has disrupted a race traditionally dominated by Republicans, as the GOP’s narrow majority in the state appears less secure than in previous years. Hamilton, 61, is entering the race as a prominent figure with a national following among mainline Protestants, leveraging his large congregation and financial resources to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall. The Democratic primary is set for August 4, with the eventual winner facing Marshall in the general election. Hamilton’s candidacy has drawn mixed reactions from both parties. The Kansas Republican Party has criticized him as a “radical left” candidate, accusing him of using his independent exploration as a political strategy to advance a liberal agenda. Meanwhile, some Democratic opponents have questioned his commitment to the party, citing his previous registration as a Republican during the 2020 primary. Despite these doubts, Hamilton’s campaign highlights his ability to mobilize supporters and raise funds, traits that could prove critical in a state where Republicans have held the Senate seat since 1932. Hamilton’s church, Church of the Resurrection, has grown from a small congregation to a sprawling network of nine campuses, with over 22,000 members. Founded in 1988 in suburban Kansas City, the church has become a cultural and financial powerhouse, with annual Christmas Eve offerings sometimes exceeding $2 million. His leadership has earned him a reputation as a unifying figure, though his political views remain a focal point for critics.#democratic_party #kansas #church_of_the_resurrection #rev_adam_hamilton #senator_roger_marshall
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
