Adam Hamilton Led Roger Marshall in New Kansas Poll

A recent Emerson College survey places Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton ahead of Republican Senator Roger Marshall.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting the silhouette of the Kansas State Capitol dome, evoking institutional political analysis. — Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton holds a narrow 45 to 43 percent lead over incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall in Kansas, according to a recent Emerson College survey. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Does a candidate's past history of legal disputes with patients change how you trust them?

Adam Hamilton led Senator Roger Marshall 45 percent to 43 percent in an Emerson College poll conducted September 15-16. Libertarian candidate David Graham held 4 percent in the same survey.

Why it matters

The race remains highly competitive as Hamilton leads among independent voters by 15 points. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance is set to visit Olathe to support Marshall, who is seeking a second term in the Senate.

This Emerson College survey of voters shows Adam Hamilton at 45 percent and Roger Marshall at 43 percent, following a period where other polls showed fluctuating results. Unresolved questions remain regarding how these figures will translate to actual turnout on election day.

The players

Adam Hamilton

He is the Democratic challenger seeking to secure a seat in the United States Senate representing Kansas.

Roger Marshall

He is the incumbent Republican Senator from Kansas who is currently campaigning for his second term in office.

JD Vance

He is the Vice President of the United States who plans to hold a campaign event in Olathe to support the Republican ticket.

David Graham

He is the Libertarian candidate participating in the Kansas Senate race.

The details

The polling data arrives amid scrutiny over Marshall's past medical practice, which reportedly sued over 700 patients for unpaid bills at an 18 percent annual interest rate. Marshall's campaign maintains that these debt litigations followed standard hospital procedures, while the issue has become a notable point of contention in the campaign.

A Democrat last won a Kansas Senate seat in 1932.
Public Policy Polling conducted a survey August 7-8.
Global Strategy Group polled voters August 12-16.
A co/efficient poll took place September 8-10.
The Emerson College survey was conducted September 15-16.

Political Context

The race remains a difficult challenge for the Democratic party, which has not successfully elected a candidate to a Kansas Senate seat since the 1932 Kansas Senate election. This historical hurdle persists despite recent polling showing the candidates in a tight statistical dead heat.

The close polling margins mean that voters in Kansas may see an increase in campaign advertising and candidate appearances as the election approaches. Decisions made regarding the state Senate seat will influence federal policy and represent a major shift in the state's political landscape.

The takeaway

The race between Hamilton and Marshall demonstrates the ongoing struggle for political control in a state that has historically favored Republican incumbents. Voters should monitor further polling and campaign developments to understand how these dynamics may affect the final outcome.