Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton may not sail so easily to the Democratic Party’s nomination in the race for the U.S. Senate.
While Hamilton’s campaign was announcing Monday it had raised about $3.7 million since joining the U.S. Senate race, two outside independent groups were quietly positioning to join the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate to support rival Noah Taylor of Kechi, a veteran. He’s also co-founder of Leading Kansas, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works with political leaders and activists.
A federal political action committee called The 1861 Initiative has been making ad buys in Kansas. It booked about $155,000 in ads on Monday, but that amount is expected to grow and will likely be accompanied by a ground campaign as well.
A second independent political action committee called the Progressive Vet PAC has indicated it also would get involved in the Kansas U.S. Senate race. Last week, it withdrew from a U.S. Senate race in Montana where it spent $3 million supporting Democrat Alani Bankhead.
NonStop Local KHQ television in Spokane, Washington first reported last week that Progresssive Vet was withdrawing from the Montana race and focusing on Kansas.
“Progressive Vet PAC formed in early 2026 to combat MAGA Republicans trying to rig the Montana Democratic primary for U.S. Senate,” the group told the television station.
“Unfortunately, recent polling and fundraising reports make it clear that a Democrat does not have a viable path to winning the Montana Senate seat,” the group said.
The entry of two new outside groups could help Taylor elevate his campaign in the Kansas Democratic primary where he raised $72,435 in the first quarter of this year. He had about $68,600 in cash on hand at the end of the first quarter.
Their presence also could potentially put more pressure on Hamilton to spend money in the primary, which could have an effect if he advances to the general election against Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall.
The 1861 PAC, which is based in Wichita, was created last April. The phone number of the PAC’s treasurer – Cassandra Tinsmon – is the same as Katz Compliance in Washington D.C.
Katz Compliance describes itself as “well-established and well-known in the world of progressive politics.” The president of Katz is Cassie Tinsmon, who has 15 years of compliance experience.
The firm’s website said her undergraduate studies in social work at Wichita State University led to an internship with the late abortion provider George Tiller, who was shot to death in 2009.
The 1861 Initiative says on its website that it’s “committed to protecting Kansans and the enduring principles that have long guided our communities. Its mission is to support leaders who value and uphold the resilience and integrity that define this state.”
At the top the website’s home it says, “Noah Taylor for U.S. Senate.”
“Noah Taylor reflects the values that have long defined Kansas: service, resilience, independence, and a commitment to community,” the website says.
“At a time when political power has become too closely tied to influence and division, Noah is running for the United States Senate to restore accountability, fight corruption, and ensure our voices are heard.
“He believes leadership requires standing up for what is right, even when it means challenging those in power, like President Donald Trump and politicians like Senator Marshall, who put party loyalty ahead of public service.”
The Progressive Vet PAC is based in Billings, Montana, federal campaign records show. It raised $2.6 million during May and ended the month with about $144,300 in cash on hand so it’s murky about how much firepower it can bring to the Senate race.
“Earlier this year, we took on MAGA Republicans trying to meddle in a Democratic Senate primary. Now, we’re elevating veteran candidates who have the grit and determination to forge a path to take on weak MAGA incumbents in the US Senate,” the group said on its website.
“That’s why we’ve endorsed Noah Taylor, candidate for U.S. Senate in Kansas running to take on weak MAGA politician Roger Marshall.
“Marshall has failed to deliver for the people of Kansas, refusing to challenge the Trump agenda and voting against hardworking Kansas families time and again.
“Noah Taylor is a battle-tested veteran of the war in Afghanistan, Kansas native, father, and the son of a pipefitter and a nurse. He was able to earn a college degree thanks to the GI bill, and now he runs a small business creating jobs in his community.
“He isn’t afraid to take on elite politicians and the corporate executives who line their pockets and buy their votes.”
The Progressive Vet PAC was funded in May by a group based in Delaware called Contours Inc., which is a nonprofit social welfare group that doesn’t have to disclose its donors.
In the past, Contours has contributed to the Working Class Heroes Fund in Nebraska, which has backed independent candidate Dan Osborn for the U.S. Senate in Nebraska, independent candidate Mike Thurow for Congress in Wisconsin and Bill Hill, who is running as an independent candidate for Congress in Alaska.
Contours also has contributed to the Government that Works political action committee in Washington D.C. and Independent Candidates Action.
In April, the Progressive Vets PAC received $200,000 from the American Values Project PAC based in Los Angeles.
The American Values Project PAC is solely funded by Jason Carroll, founder of Hudson River Trading, which researches and develops automated trading algorithms using advanced mathematical techniques.
