STORY-TRÅD·politik

Scoop: Top Trump operative enlisted to rescue Kansas senator's campaign

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.