Kathrine Frich
This is not the first time he has backed a Democrat.
Party loyalty usually dictates how veteran politicians vote when election season rolls around.
But in deeply conservative heartlands, long-standing political alliances are starting to crack under pressure.
Crossing party lines
Former Kansas Governor Bill Graves officially crossed party lines on Wednesday. The veteran Republican announced his endorsement of Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton in the upcoming U.S. Senate race.
The move deals a direct blow to incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall, who holds an endorsement from Donald Trump. Writing in a Kansas City Star opinion piece, Graves argued that Marshall “has turned his back on Kansas.”
Graves praised Hamilton, a Kansas City pastor, saying he “understands what it means to be compassionate in lifting up those in need, while still appreciating and respecting the contributions of those who make that help possible.”
Seeking common ground
The former governor expressed frustration with modern polarization. He warned that “the gridlock occurring in Washington is the result of both political parties refusing to stop the politicking and understand their public service role.”
While acknowledging his approach might seem outdated, Graves firmly defended his stance. “My way might be viewed as ‘old school,’ but the current way of doing things isn’t working, and it’s driving our nation into the ditch,” he wrote.
He added that “Adam provides a breath of fresh air, a new look at the old way of doing things that served us so well for many years.”
Tightening Senate race
This is not the first time Graves has backed a Democrat. The two-term Republican governor previously supported Democratic Governor Laura Kelly during her successful 2018 and 2022 campaigns, according to The Daily Beast.
The endorsement comes as the Kansas Senate race turns surprisingly tight. Recent political polls show a close contest, with one survey putting Hamilton ahead by a single percentage point.
Marshall has also faced recent controversy over his background as an obstetrician. The New York Times revealed that Marshall previously sued over 700 patients for unpaid bills, resulting in 81 arrests.
Sources: The Daily Beast, Kansas City Star, The New York Times
