Local Politics · Wichita, KS
Republican President Donald Trump plans to speak in Wichita on Monday, Oct. 19, to support embattled Sen. Roger Marshall's reelection campaign, as recent polls show Democrat Adam Hamilton holding a 1% to 3% lead in the U.S. Senate race. Kansas has not elected a Democratic senator in approximately 94 years, and Trump's net approval rating in the state has dropped to roughly 1%, down 15 points from his 2024 performance. Political scientists note the visit could either mobilize Republican base voters or energize moderates who oppose Trump to vote against Marshall. The race is an outlier in Kansas politics, as Republican gubernatorial candidate Ty Masterson holds a comfortable lead over Democrat Cindy Holscher.
Local Politics · Wichita, KS
Newly released Wichita State University records show Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson sent 14 emails from his WSU address between April 11 and August 10, 2026, while serving as director of the Koch-funded GoCreate makerspace in the John Bardo Center. His assistant director, Kimberly McCollum, sent 532 emails during the same period. Of the 26 pages WSU provided, more than 17 were blank or fully redacted; only four readable emails showed minimal work-related activity. Masterson, who lives in Andover and is running for governor, has received over $1.1 million from WSU since 2016, including $163,000 in 2025, with the director position set to receive a pay raise to $241,781 base salary in 2027. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Cindy Holscher called the arrangement 'pay-to-play politics,' while GoCreate mentor Bill Carey defended Masterson's presence at the facility.
