A top Trump political operative has been tapped to help boost Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall's campaign in the weeks before the Nov. 3 election, the latest sign of how Republicans are scrambling to defend the red-state seat.
Why it matters: The hiring of veteran strategist Chris Grant reflects the GOP's growing anxiety over Kansas' Senate race. Marshall is running neck and neck with Democrat Adam Hamilton in a state President Trump won by 16 points in 2024.
- Republicans fear losing Kansas could be a domino in costing them their Senate majority.
Driving the news: GOP operatives have become increasingly frustrated with Marshall's reelection campaign, which they believe hasn't been aggressive enough at a time when soaring fuel prices have particularly hurt farmers in Kansas and elsewhere in the Midwest.
- Grant, who helped lead the main pro-Trump super PAC in 2024 and has remained involved in Trump's political operation, will be a senior adviser to Marshall and help guide strategy in the final three weeks.
- Grant also worked on Marshall's 2020 Senate campaign.
What they're saying: "Chris is an absolute pro who has been a longtime friend to Team Marshall. Having him help land the plane these last three weeks is a no brainer," Brent Robertson, Marshall's chief of staff, told Axios.
Zoom in: Two GOP outside groups — the Senate Leadership Fund and Club for Growth — are pouring millions into the Kansas race.
- SLF, the principal super PAC aligned with Senate GOP leadership, is spending $14 million in Kansas after shifting resources from the Senate race in North Carolina, where Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has a significant polling lead over former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley.
- Trump said in a social media post Monday that he would campaign for Marshall "very soon."
- A Democrat-aligned super PAC has announced plans to spend $5 million to help Hamilton.
Between the lines: Marshall has faced damaging headlines recently, including a New York Times report that his medical practice sued more than 700 former patients over unpaid medical bills, and that 81 were later arrested for missing court appearances.
The other side: Hamilton, a Methodist pastor, has won endorsements from two former Republican governors in Kansas, Mike Hayden and Bill Graves.