Democrat Adam Hamilton defeated Republican Sen. Roger Marshall on Tuesday, Nov. 3, becoming the first Democrat elected to a Kansas U.S. Senate seat since 1932.

The Associated Press called the race at 10:24 p.m., with Hamilton was leading with 51.7% in the unofficial count, the Wichita Eagle reported. CNN projected Hamilton the winner at 10:16 p.m., according to KCTV5.

Marshall conceded Tuesday night from his watch party in Wichita, the Eagle reported. Hamilton held his election night event in Overland Park, where national media cameras gathered.

Sedgwick County turnout

Voters across Sedgwick County turned out in large numbers. Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater said nearly 58,000 residents had cast ballots by 3:30 p.m., pushing in-person turnout to roughly 44%, KWCH reported. Rainwater projected total turnout could reach 55% to 60%.

Waits reached 30 to 45 minutes at locations, including Reliance Church in west Wichita and Magdalen Church on the east side, KWCH reported. In Bel Aire, an election worker reported seeing roughly 100 voters an hour.

Early voter participation in Sedgwick County outpaced 2022 levels by 29,000 voters, KWCH reported. Statewide, more than 470,000 Kansans voted early, a new state record for a non-presidential election year, according to the secretary of state's office, KAKE reported.

What it means

Hamilton, 62, is the founding pastor of the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, the largest United Methodist congregation in the country. He had never held political office before this race.

A Democrat had not finished within 10 points in a Kansas Senate race since 1974, KCTV5 reported. The last Democrat to win a Kansas Senate seat was George McGill, a Wichita attorney, in 1932, according to an AP report carried by WPTZ.

The win helped Democrats flip the U.S. Senate, ending the Republican majority, KCTV5 reported. The GOP had held a 53-47 edge heading into the midterms, according to KMBC.

How Hamilton won

Hamilton announced his candidacy in April after an 18-community listening tour, KCUR reported. His campaign called him an "independent-minded Democrat." He picked up endorsements from prominent Kansas Republicans, including two former governors, The Hill reported.

He distanced himself from the Democratic establishment, saying he would not support Sen. Chuck Schumer as majority leader, The Hill reported. His campaign focused on affordability, health care and what he called corruption in Washington.

Marshall, a former OB-GYN from Great Bend, faced a difficult political environment. A New York Times report detailed his record of suing former patients over unpaid medical bills, The Hill reported. Public opinion also soured on the war in Iran and tariff policies, The Hill reported.

Both sides had spent more than $70 million as of late October, according to KSN. The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with top Senate Republicans, pulled money from North Carolina and redirected it to Kansas to support Marshall, KCTV5 reported.

President Donald Trump rallied in Park City on Oct. 19, and Vice President JD Vance held an event in Topeka on Oct. 26, both on Marshall's behalf, KCTV5 reported. On Election Day, Marshall toured Leading Technology Composites, a south Wichita manufacturer of military equipment, KAKE reported.

What's next

The Kansas Secretary of State's office said unofficial results would continue to update through Nov. 6 because of a three-day grace period for mail ballots postmarked by Nov. 3, according to a press release from Secretary of State Scott Schwab. The State Board of Canvassers must certify official results by Dec. 1.