Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton turned Kansas’ final Senate debate before the Nov. 3 election into a dispute over diesel prices and President Donald Trump’s policies.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) listed Kansas diesel at an average of $6.0765 per U.S. gallon on Oct. 21, compared with $3.3873 a year earlier. The Associated Press (AP) linked diesel’s importance in Kansas to the state’s farm economy.
AP reported that the Oct. 21 event was the candidates’ second and final debate before the election. Marshall pointed to the Ukraine war and lower diesel production as factors behind high prices. He voiced reservations about buying Russian diesel but said he could support a purchase if it helped end the war. Hamilton instead blamed the U.S. war with Iran and said he would work to force Trump to end it. Hamilton said “nobody believes” Ukraine is to blame, AP reported.
On trade, Marshall defended Trump’s tariffs as helpful to U.S. manufacturing, CBS News reported. Hamilton argued that the duties had disrupted business and created uncertainty. CBS also reported that Marshall warned a Hamilton victory could give Democrats control of the Senate. Hamilton said he would not support Chuck Schumer as majority leader and described himself as an “independent-minded Democrat.”
Republicans held a 53-47 Senate majority. AP reported that a Republican Senate spending group had put close to $12 million into Kansas to support Marshall. AP and the U.S. Senate’s historical list show Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932.
The Kansas Secretary of State’s calendar sets the general election for Nov. 3.
