MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall defended the Trump administration’s trade and economic policies Saturday as Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton argued those policies are raising costs and hurting Kansas families, farmers and businesses.
The candidates met at the Heartland Credit Union Pavilion during the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. Their debate covered tariffs, the war with Iran, agriculture, immigration, health care, the national debt and artificial intelligence.
Hamilton, a pastor who founded the Church of the Resurrection, framed the election as a referendum on Washington’s direction.
“Are you happy with how things are in Washington?” Hamilton asked during his opening statement. “If you are, if your answer is yes, you should vote for Roger Marshall. If it’s no, then I want you to consider voting for me.”
Marshall, a physician and former Great Bend OB-GYN, portrayed Hamilton as out of step with Kansas voters.
“My opponent is too woke, he’s too weak, and he doesn’t stand for anything,” Marshall said. “You may not agree with everything I have to say today, but you’re going to know where I stand.”
Candidates divide over tariffs
Some of the debate’s sharpest disagreements involved President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Marshall said the tariffs were bringing manufacturing jobs back to the United States and expanding export opportunities. He cited Superior Boiler in Hutchinson as an example, saying the company plans to add 100 jobs.
“These tariffs are working,” Marshall said. “We are expanding our export markets because of them.”
Hamilton said tariffs were increasing costs for Kansas consumers and companies that depend on imported materials. He argued that carefully targeted tariffs can be appropriate but criticized repeated changes in federal trade policy.
“The tariffs are a disaster for everyone across the state of Kansas,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton also warned that trade tensions with Canada could jeopardize aviation jobs in Wichita. Marshall countered that companies such as Boeing and Textron were benefiting from growing demand and accused Hamilton of favoring policies that would send jobs to China.
Iran war and fuel prices
The candidates also disagreed over the war with Iran and its effect on fuel and agricultural input costs.
Marshall said he wanted the war to end but argued that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons was necessary for long-term security. He predicted diesel prices would decline after the conflict ended and blamed Democratic regulations for weakening domestic oil and gas production.
Hamilton said the United States should not be involved in the war. He blamed the conflict for higher fuel and fertilizer costs and accused Marshall of supporting an open-ended military operation.
“If you love $6-a-gallon diesel fuel, you can thank Roger Marshall,” Hamilton said. “We should not be in the war.”
Marshall responded by asking whether anyone wanted Iran to possess a nuclear weapon. He also argued that average gasoline prices had been lower under Trump than under former President Joe Biden.
Agriculture and the farm bill
Marshall repeatedly emphasized the need for a new farm bill, accusing Senate Democrats of blocking legislation important to Kansas producers.
He challenged Hamilton several times to say whether he would support the bill and whether he would oppose Senate Democratic leaders when their positions conflict with Kansas agriculture.
Hamilton said he supports a farm bill but argued that passing one requires bipartisan compromise. He said Democrats were also fighting to protect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for children.
“We have a five-year farm bill that’s in year eight,” Hamilton said, criticizing Marshall’s record on the issue. “I would have gotten it done because we would have compromised and found a solution.”
The candidates also clashed over the administration’s proposal to increase beef imports.
Hamilton called the proposal a “slap in the face” to cattle producers and accused Marshall of responding too cautiously.
Marshall said the more significant problem is the historically small U.S. cattle herd, which he attributed to drought and government regulation. He accused Democrats and environmental advocates of threatening livestock production.
National debt and proposed dividend
Both candidates were asked about Trump’s proposal to provide a $5,000 dividend to every adult at an estimated cost of more than $1 trillion.
Hamilton rejected the proposal, characterizing it as an attempt to influence voters. He said the money should instead be used to reduce the national debt or help people who have lost health and nutrition benefits.
Marshall did not commit to supporting or opposing the proposal, saying he would study it before making a decision.
Marshall later identified the approximately $40 trillion national debt as the country’s largest long-term challenge. He called for a federal budget, spending restraint and stronger economic growth.
Hamilton responded that the debt had doubled during Marshall’s time in Washington and said the more immediate challenges for Kansas were tariffs and the Iran war.
Immigration and workforce needs
Hamilton said immigration at the southern border during the Biden administration was a disaster, but he also criticized the Trump administration’s enforcement policies as harmful to Kansas communities and employers.
He supported secure borders, immigration reform and year-round access to the H-2A visa program for agricultural workers. Hamilton said he supports funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement but wants the agency focused on dangerous individuals and national-security threats.
Marshall said border security is essential to protecting American jobs, housing and communities. He supported legal immigration to address workforce shortages but warned that Democrats would weaken border enforcement.
Health care and Social Security
Marshall highlighted his medical background and cited federal funding secured for Kansas hospitals, including rural facilities. He also pointed to legislation intended to lower the cost of insulin, generic drugs and biosimilars.
Hamilton accused Marshall of supporting policies that reduced health coverage and threatened rural hospitals.
On Social Security and Medicare, Marshall pledged not to reduce benefits for people currently receiving them or those nearing eligibility. He said economic growth, employment and a healthier population would help strengthen the programs.
Hamilton said both parties had failed to address their long-term financial condition and called for a bipartisan solution.
AI and data centers
Both candidates said artificial intelligence has significant potential but requires safeguards.
Marshall compared the possible risks of AI to concerns surrounding nuclear technology during the 1950s and 1960s. He said policymakers must consider national security, job displacement, energy demand and water use.
Marshall also expressed support for local control over data-center development, including county moratoriums.
Hamilton agreed that guardrails are needed while the United States continues competing with China and Russia. He questioned how Marshall could support both data-center tax benefits and local moratoriums.
“I think maybe this is one place where we both agree,” Hamilton said.
In closing
Hamilton used characters from “The Wizard of Oz” to argue that Washington needs more critical thinking, compassion and courage. He said senators must listen to constituents and challenge their president or political party when policies hurt people back home.
Marshall closed by promising “predictability and certainty” for farmers and ranchers. He emphasized secure borders, a strong military, lower taxes and traditional Kansas values.
“What you’re going to get from me — you may not agree with me on everything — but you’re going to know exactly where I stand,” Marshall said.