Vice President JD Vance returned to Kansas on Monday evening, making a late appeal for Republican candidates with the midterm elections just over a week away.
Vance spoke at the HME Inc. Steel Plant, a steel fabrication business in Topeka, to build support for Sen. Roger Marshall. Marshall faces a tight race against Democrat Adam Hamilton, and the rally centered on the theme of "keeping the majority." The venue was not large, but the event drew a good crowd and was free to attend.
In his remarks, Vance addressed President Trump's border policies and focused on Kansas values, drawing comparisons between Kansas and his home state of Ohio. He praised what he described as the achievements of the Trump administration. He also criticized both Hamilton and Cindy Holscher during the event.
Several times during the speech, Vance likened Hamilton to Chuck Schumer. Hamilton has publicly said he would stand up to the senator.
The rally marks the third time Marshall has received campaign help from the White House. Vance campaigned for Marshall last month in Johnson County, and President Donald Trump made a stop in Park City last Monday.
Attendees offered positive reviews. "I thought it was well attended, well read and everything seemed to go very smoothly," said Cynthia Cox. Brad Cox, another attendee, said the message resonated with him. "It was certainly the importance of supporting Senator Marshall and the president's programs," he said.
Current polling shows Marshall and Hamilton running neck and neck. Cynthia Cox suggested misinformation may be playing a role. "There's a lot of misinformation out there," she said, adding that Marshall "really has a good message for all of Kansas." Those who attended the rally also said the economy is struggling. Brad Cox said that under the previous administration there was no plan, while under Trump "we have a direction and we have goals."
Political analysts say the visit fits a broader strategy now that early voting is underway: Republicans want to energize their base and get supporters to the polls. Michael Smith, a political scientist at Emporia State University, called Trump "the most popular figure in the Republican Party," and said that bringing him into a race is meant to motivate voters. "They're hoping that some of that Trump magic will rub off on Vance," Smith said.
