Why a Blue Kansas Might Not Be a Mirage This Time Around

Polls underestimated Republican Senate candidates in 2014 and 2020, but 2026 could be different. Turn any article into a podcast. Upgrade now to start listening. Members can share articles with friends & family to bypass the paywall. ATCHISON, Kansas—When Faith Paxton pulls up to the Atchison County courthouse to cast an early vote in the Kansas midterm elections, the lifelong Republican is driving a white SUV with a decorative, religiously themed license plate in the front: The word “Redeemed” sits below a crown of thorns, both painted in a shimmery mix of magenta and pink against a black backdrop. Want to see more of The Dispatch in Google search? Add Us as a Preferred Source John McCormack is a senior editor at The Dispatch and is based in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining the company in 2023, he was Washington correspondent at National Review and a senior writer at The Weekly Standard. When John is not reporting on politics and policy, he is probably enjoying life with his wife and daughters in northern Virginia or having fun visiting family in Wisconsin. More We Think You’d Like