By Clay Wirestone | opinion editor

Good morning! We have a fresh take on the U.S. Senate race below, along with some national stories. Don’t worry; our regular Sunday columnist Max McCoy has taken the week off. He’ll be back. On with the show.

Anna Kaminski / Kansas Reflector

OPINION

Kansas may surprise the nation and elect a Democrat to the US Senate. MAGA politics reshaped state.

By H. Edward Flentje

In 1932, Kansas voters elected Democrat George McGill to the U.S Senate. In the 32 senate elections since then, voters have consistently elected Republicans to represent them.

This historic streak makes Democrat Adam Hamilton’s bid to prevail in his challenge to the reelection of U.S. Senator Roger Marshall an uphill climb. However, Marshall’s embrace of MAGA politics has changed the dynamics of the race and given Hamilton a credible shot at a dramatic upset.

History shows that the leading GOP senators Kansas voters sent to Washington have been genuine legislators — pragmatic, problem-solving, middle-of-the-road Republicans who have chosen bipartisan solutions for public issues.

Adam Hamilton says “we need to stop the chaos and corruption in Washington by actually listening to people and working together to get things done for Kansas families.”

He vows to “lead from the middle” and avoid extreme positions on the right or the left.

His philosophy closely aligns with Kansas’ Republican senators over past years.

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Cornell case highlights the patchwork of state laws governing intoxication, sexual consent

A former Cornell University student’s allegations of gang rape in 2024 have renewed attention on a difficult area of sexual assault law.

A person can be awake, responsive and even able to move during a sexual encounter while still being so intoxicated or impaired that they cannot understand what is happening or make an informed decision about sex.

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Trump appoints committee to revive quest to remove Lisa Cook from Fed board

President Donald Trump has formed a White House committee to investigate Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, escalating even further a lengthy feud with the Federal Reserve Board member.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Kansas Reflector staff will participate in the following free public forums.

  • 6 p.m. Oct. 12, Riverbank Brewing in Council Grove. Opinion editor Clay Wirestone talks about his book and the latest news. Host: Flint Hills Books.

  • 5:30 p.m. Oct. 19, Frank Carlson Library in Concordia. Host: NCK Voters.

  • 6 p.m. Dec. 3, Prairie Star Restaurant in Manhattan. Host: League of Women Voters of Manhattan and Riley County.

If you're interested in having us talk in your town, email Sherman Smith at [email protected].

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