Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="Bombastus, post: 93808, member: 2178"] Roger Marshall faces a close Senate race in Kansas, with complaints from firms hurt by President Trump's tariffs. At a Topeka business meeting, Zachary Surritt said his family's plant had lost buyers as bills rose. Marshall said most plants he had met were doing well. He backs the tax on imports as a way to save U.S. jobs and seek fair trade terms from China. Surritt said small firms could not wait for that gain. Marshall agrees gas costs more, but says cash is not all Kansans care about. Even the GOP did not expect this seat to be close. The party has held it for more than 100 years. Trump won Kansas by about 16 points. Yet polls show a near tie with Adam Hamilton, a pastor who built a huge Methodist church. Hamilton campaigns on faith and work across party lines. Two past GOP governors, Mike Hayden and Bill Graves, back him. Marshall calls Hamilton a far-left Democrat. Both sides have spent on ads, and new funds have come from outside groups. There is a fresh look at Marshall's past as a doctor. He took over 700 patients to court for bills they had not paid. Some were arrested after they missed court. He says the reports were meant to hurt his race. Past patients praise him in his ads. End Citizens United has lodged a complaint over campaign ethics. It claims Senate funds went to campaign staff and trips. Staff texts and emails led to the claim. His team says paid workers do run the race. Yet old campaign filings had no wages, while a newer report does. Even cookie money sparked a dispute. A baker said Marshall's team had left a $678 bill unpaid. It was for sweets with his name on them. The team paid $1,300 later. Marshall said he had not known about it. Some voters asked why he had a home in Florida. Marshall says he sold it. By his account, it was for his wife during trips to see family. At a debate, people claimed he did not live in Kansas. He denies that charge. His town hall in Oakley went badly. Voters raised tariffs, job cuts, and less federal spending. He left as people booed. His staff blamed Democratic activists for the scene. Marshall then shared a claim that some were paid to protest, though he had no proof. Since then, he has held more events with fans and fewer open town halls. His wife, Laina, spoke to guests at a stop in Abilene. She said he had wanted a life in public office since he was young. But he did not show up there. Farmers have long been a key part of his pitch. Yet some cattle ranchers did not like Trump's plan to buy more beef from Argentina. Marshall said the rise would be small. He told people put off by beef prices to buy pork or chicken. The Kansas Livestock Association's PAC chose not to back him in this race. It cited tariffs and Trump's beef talk. Marshall has had more luck with E15 corn fuel. Trump said he would back year-round sales, but only if Marshall wins. In his first Senate race, Marshall raised $6.7 million and spent $7.2 million to gain the seat. He may spend as much or more this time. Some GOP members think he did not expect a close race and was slow to plan. Not all voters are upset. Sidney Hammond, 78, likes what Marshall has done for rural Kansas. Yet he had one gripe. He went to that Abilene stop in hopes of meeting the senator. Marshall was not there. [/QUOTE]

Name