Democratic Methodist Pastor Adam Hamilton on Monday reported raising more than $1 million as he starts his campaign for the U.S. Senate, a much bigger haul than any of the 10 other candidates in the primary field have raised so far.
The pastor’s first campaign fundraising report is not due until mid-July, but releasing the early numbers now could potentially scare off other Democratic candidates who have raised far less money than Hamilton.
It also could stand to draw even more money if Hamilton’s fundraising makes him appear to be more of a front-runner in the primary race.
His fundraising numbers are not necessarily unexpected given that he built the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood from the ground up where it now has about 24,000 members and has budget of about $30 million.
It is one of the largest Methodist churches in the country.
The campaign reported more than $1 million from more than 6,700 individual contributors. The campaign said 92% of contributions were for $100 or less. Contributions came from 68 of Kansas’ 105 counties.
It was not known how much cash Hamilton still has on hand, an amount that won’t be known until the first campaign finance report is filed in July.
It is believed that the Hamilton campaign is already turning to some of the country’s leading Democratic consultants to run the campaign, including pollster GBAO that has worked for Gov. Laura Kelly.
The campaign declined to confirm its consultants.
There are already 10 Democratic candidates running for the U.S. Senate, some of whom have already been raising money, but not equal to what the Hamilton campaign said it has raised.
Hamilton, meanwhile, seems to be approaching his campaign more like a general election focused more on Republican incumbent Roger Marshall rather than the other Democratic candidates in the field.
“I’m not worried about that,” he said of the size of the field in a recent interview.
“I’m going to be me. I’m going to run the best campaign I can for the primary. There’s a lot of good people in there. I’m not thinking about how I’m getting them out.
“I’m going to do the best job I can and if I’m right, I think a lot of people are going to say they really resonate with who I am,” he said.
“I bring a lot to the table I think in terms of running for this position,” he said.
“I’ve got 36 years experience as a pastor working in the community building bridges serving to help our Kansas City area and beyond to be more just and kind and compassionate,” he said.
“I’m going to run on that record, and I’m going to run on the record of being a great listener who cares about Kansans,” he said.
“I certainly will make the case for why I am the best Democratic candidate,” Hamilton said.
“Really, Roger Marshall is the person I am concerned about beating in the end,” he said.
Marshall raised about $769,000 and has about $4.78 million in cash on hand as he waits to see what Democrat challenges him this fall.
The current Democratic field include state Sen. Patrick Schmidt of Topeka, Kansas City developer Erik Murray, retired businesswoman Sandy Spidel Neumann of Merriam, former congressional candidate Christy Davis of Cottonwood Falls, Former federal prosecutor Jason Hart, Army veteran Noah Taylor and Overland Park immigration lawyer Anne Parelkar.
Also running is perennial candidate Michael Soetaert.
Damon Anderson, the founder and CEO of Tallgrass Freight Co. in Shawnee, has also filed to be in the ballot for the U.S. Senate this year with the secretary of state’s office.
He has not filed yet with Federal Election Commission.
Another candidate, Kevin Latz of Mission Hills, also has filed to get on the ballot in the U.S. Senate race but also has not filed a statement of candidacy with the FEC.
His LinkedIn profile indicates that he’s the medical director of orthopedic surgery and sports injury clinics at Children’s Mercy Hospital.
He said on his campaign website that his family is actively involved in The Church of the Resurrection, whose founder is Hamilton.
Schmidt, who was just elected to the state Senate in 2024, reported raising $177,173 in the quarter ending March 31. He had about $130,000 in cash on hand.
Running behind Schmidt in first quarter fundraising was Taylor of Kechi, who reported taking in $72,435. He had about $68,600 in cash on hand at the end of the quarter.
Davis raised $56,589 during the quarter and now has $59,271 in cash on hand. She’s raised $80,478 for the cycle.
In other fundraising, Murray reported raising $55,219 with $45,586 in the bank at the end of the first quarter. He’s raised about $179,800 for the cycle so far.
Spidel Neumann reported $19,849 during the first quarter and had $38,109 at the end of the quarter.
She’s raised about $187,400 for the cycle, including a $100,000 loan.
Hart reported bringing in $10,741 during the first quarter and had about $5,400 in cash on hand at the end of the reporting period.
Parelkar trailed everyone, raising $2,916 during the reporting period.
She’s raised about $20,000 for the cycle, including a $5,500 loan.
