New Kansas Senator Adam Hamilton urges Washington to end cruelty
The first Democratic senator from Kansas since 1932 cites tariffs and the Iran war as key factors in his victory.
By Sakura Ellis ·
Adam Hamilton became the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Kansas since 1932, a shift that the Methodist pastor attributes to voters seeking a break from partisan gridlock rather than a simple change in party affiliation.
Hamilton told NPR's Michel Martin on Morning Edition that rising costs, tariffs, and the war in Iran were primary drivers of his election. He also noted that constituents expressed exhaustion with what he described as the hyperpolarization in Washington.
During his campaign, a Republican voter told Hamilton that he had voted in 46 elections without supporting a Democrat before Hamilton's race. That voter characterized the capital as cruel and indecent, a sentiment Hamilton said resonated with many supporters.
In Greensburg, Kansas, a woman asked Hamilton to help Americans stop hating one another, citing family relationships fractured by political differences. She urged him to remind people that they are fellow human beings.
Hamilton, who was registered as a Republican until earlier this year, plans to work across party lines and reach more religious voters. He hopes to develop a close relationship with Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran, stating, "I want to be his best friend in Washington," to demonstrate that bipartisan cooperation is possible.
