EMPORIA, Kan. – Adam Hamilton has spent decades trying to bring people to Jesus as the founder of the nation’s largest United Methodist church. Now, he aims to bring Kansas voters to the polls as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate.
A first-time candidate, Hamilton faces a balancing act between his political ambitions and spiritual obligations. His role as a pastor has given him a unique prominence in a state where Republicans have dominated Senate races for nearly a century. Many in his party are hopeful for an upset victory against incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall.
However, Hamilton’s religious leadership has also become a target for conservative critics. Some argue that his sermons indicate he is too liberal for Kansas, with accusations of heresy stemming from his belief that non-Christians can attain salvation after death.
In a recent interview, Marshall stated that Hamilton is “too woke for Kansas.” Hamilton, undeterred, retorted that if Jesus were present today, “Roger Marshall would call him ‘woke.’”
Historically, only a handful of ordained ministers have served as senators in the past century. Hamilton, if elected, plans to continue his role as the senior pastor at his Church of the Resurrection in the Kansas City area, preaching 12 to 18 times annually.
As he seeks to engage both center-right churchgoers and secular liberals, Hamilton has assured voters that he would refrain from using his position in Washington to evangelize. Currently on unpaid leave, he will spend 11 weeks without delivering a sermon this summer, yet he still references biblical teachings and dedicates several hours weekly to pastoral duties, such as hospital visits.
“I need that interaction with people and the caring for people,” he remarked after a meet-and-greet at a coffee shop in Emporia—a university town smaller than his congregation 110 miles to the northwest.
Hamilton brings valuable skills honed from building a large congregation into a challenging race. At 61, he grew his church from a few members in a funeral home chapel in 1990 into a 25,000-member congregation with nine locations across the Kansas City area. He has also gained national attention through the publication of over 30 books, primarily focusing on Christian theology.
Describing himself as a centrist, Hamilton is campaigning on a platform that emphasizes “bringing people together.” Notably, his congregation is nearly evenly divided among Democrats, Republicans, and independents.
Kansas does possess a notable bloc of moderate voters, with a history of protecting abortion rights and electing Democratic governors. However, the state has not seen Democrats come within 10 points of winning a Senate race in over 50 years, with the last victory dating back to 1932.
Marshall, 66, is rallying support from rural conservatives, a strategy that has consistently worked for Republicans. As a fifth-generation farm kid and obstetrician, he is well-versed in agricultural policy and has mockingly stated that Hamilton “doesn’t know a heifer from a steer.”
Marshall also warned that a Hamilton victory could shift control of the Senate to the Democrats, asserting, “His party is too crazy for Kansas.”
The Campaign’s Unusual Attacks
This election cycle has seen some extraordinary attacks from the Christian right, branding Hamilton as a heretic. Central to this controversy is a 2022 sermon where Hamilton suggested that non-Christians might receive “the saving grace of Jesus” after death, thereby avoiding eternal damnation.
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas claimed Hamilton had rejected “the central tenets of Christianity,” referencing a biblical verse where Jesus states, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Marshall endorsed Cruz’s remarks, suggesting Hamilton’s views are out of touch with Kansas voters.
In response, Hamilton acknowledged that while some Christians align with Cruz, others, including prominent figures like Methodist founder John Wesley and C.S. Lewis, share his perspective. “If he’s going to call me a heretic, he’s not the first,” Hamilton noted, “and he won’t be the last.”
Addressing Church-State Concerns
Hamilton has also faced skepticism from Democrats wary of mixing religion with governance. While Republican conservatives often highlight their faith, suggesting divine support for their political pursuits, Hamilton has sought to reassure voters that his campaign is grounded in inclusivity.
During Lent, he shared that he skipped daily meals to pray about entering the Senate race, humorously estimating his certainty at “87.2%” that he was called to run. “The Kansas voters will decide whether I’m supposed to win,” he stated, emphasizing his commitment to fighting for the rights of all people, regardless of their faith.
“I’m not running for the Senate to make everybody in this country Christian or United Methodist,” Hamilton clarified.
Nolan Guyer, a 72-year-old Navy veteran and retired nuclear plant operator, initially had reservations about voting for a minister but was swayed by Hamilton’s message, even contributing to his campaign. “I don’t think it’s the government’s business to teach morals, and that is a preacher’s job,” he said.
Key Issues at Play
Hamilton’s campaign has also addressed familiar issues. Republican political action committees have accused him of extreme views on climate change, claiming he urged his congregation to repent for eating beef. This allegation stems from two separate segments of a sermon, misrepresented to suggest he was advocating for dietary restrictions.
Additionally, some ads falsely claimed Hamilton’s church funded a drag queen story hour for children, a statement his campaign disputes. Marshall has also implicated Hamilton in the United Methodist Church’s split over LGBTQ+ clergy, a change he supported in 2024 while attempting to promote a local option for ordaining or marrying LGBTQ+ individuals.
Hamilton’s views on sexuality and same-sex marriage have evolved as he formed relationships with LGBTQ+ members of his congregation. His church now conducts a Queer Inclusive Collective ministry and participates in Pride events, aiming to ensure that those feeling alienated from the church know they are welcomed.
Focusing on Decency and Affordability
One of Hamilton’s key messages is his commitment to “decency.” This resonated with Jann Briggs, a retired teacher who attended one of his events, expressing gratitude for a candidate who speaks positively about moral values.
Hamilton is also emphasizing affordability, a crucial issue for Democrats this election cycle. He has critiqued Republican cuts to essential federal programs for the poor, questioning when caring for one’s neighbor became labeled as “woke.”
“I just want to know, when did it become ‘woke’ to care for your neighbor?” he asked, positioning himself as a candidate focused on compassion and community engagement.
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