WICHITA, Kan. — National Democrats are pouring millions of dollars into Kansas to bolster Adam Hamilton, who has spent much of his campaign arguing that he would not be beholden to the top Democratic leaders in Washington, D. C.
Tens of millions are flowing into Kansas to boost Hamilton, with a sizable chunk coming from Senate Majority PAC, a super PAC closely aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N. Y., whom Hamilton has repeatedly said he would not support as the Democratic leader should he win in November.
But his opponent, Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., questioned how he could benefit from "$30 to $40 million from Chuck Schumer and not be beholden to him in some way?"
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"Regardless of what he says, if we lose this seat, then it's going to give the Senate control to the Democrats," Marshall told Fox News Digital during an interview on the campaign trail. "Chuck Schumer would be the leader of the Senate."
"Look, if he's going to denounce Chuck Schumer, let's denounce him with his money as well," he continued, "Look, we're going to be outspent five to one, and we knew that."
Candidates, notably, can’t directly accept outside funding from independent groups like the Senate Majority PAC, given the guardrails are established by federal election law, according to the Federal Election Commission.
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The Schumer-aligned group teed up $5 million in advertising spending in Kansas earlier this month, a sign that Democrats are bullish about flipping the seat in a contest that has gotten closer than Republicans expected.
Hamilton's campaign pushed back on Marshall, arguing that the first-term senator has been given a lifeboat by national Republicans. Hamilton has vastly outraised Marshall, scoring nearly $14 million compared to Marshall’s almost $6 million, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
"Adam has said repeatedly he believes it’s time for fresh leadership in Washington," Tyson Brody, a Hamilton campaign spokesperson, told Fox News Digital. "Adam will always put Kansas first. Meanwhile, Roger Marshall is totally dependent on Washington money to save his campaign because he has abandoned Kansas to support D. C. corruption, endless war, and high prices."
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In all, national Democrats and their affiliated groups — combined with spending from Hamilton’s campaign — are slated to dump $38 million into the race, according to AdImpact. National Republicans, along with Marshall’s campaign, are putting $32 million into the contest.
Marshall has sought to tie Hamilton, who is running as a moderate in ruby-red Kansas, directly to Schumer, a point he made several times during their final debate before Election Day this week.
Hamilton pushed back, arguing that Marshall had mentioned Schumer "maybe 20 times so far."
"I’ve already said I wouldn't support Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader if the Democrats took control of the Senate," Hamilton said.