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Trump's frantic push to save Kansas from blue wave fails as Adam Hamilton ousts Roger Marshall in heartland stunner

Trump's frantic push to save Kansas from blue wave fails as Adam Hamilton ousts Roger Marshall in heartland stunner

Democrat Adam Hamilton has pulled off a stunning upset in Kansas, becoming the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in the state since 1932 and ending a nearly century-long Republican streak.

Hamilton defeated Republican Senator Roger Marshall after a neck-and-neck battle that derailed the GOP's hopes of holding onto its Senate majority.

The Associated Press called the race for Hamilton at 11:25 pm. 

President Donald Trump made a last-minute push to save Marshall's campaign, traveling to Salina, Kansas, on Sunday, just two days before Election Day.

Vice President JD Vance had also made two trips to the state to campaign for the incumbent senator.

Trump's visit came after a sudden U-turn following concerns over his decision to cancel a planned rally on October 29. 

The RNC had insisted Republicans were in a strong position and that Trump would instead hold virtual events.

Trump also claimed Marshall was doing 'really well' and that he did not need to travel to Kansas.

However, he reversed course a day later and reinstated the rally as the race as he didn't like the optics around the cancellation. 

In a stunning upset, Democrat Adam Hamilton won by over 100,000 votes

Democratic contender Adam Hamilton, a prominent Methodist pastor, sought to capitalize on frustration over rising costs, including higher fuel and fertilizer prices that have hit farmers across the state

Marshall, who has represented Kansas in the Senate since 2021, campaigned on continuing Trump's agenda and warned that a Democratic victory could hand control of the chamber to the opposition

The Republican campaign arm had poured millions into trying to save Marshall from embarrassment. 

After the August primary, Republican groups committed more than $26 million in advertising to boost his campaign, more than they spent during his entire 2020 race.

It was a rescue mission after some Republican operatives believed Marshall took his campaign for granted.  

Hamilton and Democratic groups committed more than $38 million, bringing total advertising spending in the state to around $71 million and setting a record for Kansas.

Marshall's campaign repeatedly attacked Hamilton as 'too woke and too weak for Kansas,' while a Senate Leadership Fund advertisement described him as a 'two-faced' extremist.

The Republican also aired an advertisement criticizing how Hamilton's church handled abuse at youth camps in 2005 and 2006. 

Hamilton said the incidents were reported to police and that he personally helped ensure the abuser was convicted.

Hamilton, meanwhile, aired an advertisement featuring a woman who said she was arrested over Marshall's medical-debt collection practices when he worked as a doctor in western Kansas. 

Marshall's lawyers sent a cease-and-desist letter, which Hamilton dismissed as ridiculous.

The Democratic challenger, a prominent Methodist pastor, focused much of his campaign on economic frustration, particularly rising fuel and fertilizer prices that have squeezed farmers across Kansas.

He also attracted support from independent voters and some moderate Republicans, helping make the contest far more competitive than expected.

Marshall, who has represented Kansas in the Senate since 2021, campaigned on continuing Trump's agenda and warned that a Democratic victory could hand control of the chamber to the opposition.

Trump carried Kansas by more than 16 points in 2024, making Hamilton's victory a major upset in a state that has traditionally been a reliable Republican stronghold.

In a last-minute attempt to defend his record, Marshall released a campaign video explaining why his former medical practice pursued patients over unpaid medical bills.

Marshall said his office frequently provided free care but occasionally turned unpaid accounts over to collection agencies to keep the practice running.

However, the video was reportedly filmed and released without the knowledge of some of his senior campaign advisers, who had urged him not to revisit the controversy so close to Election Day.

Marshall later said voters had repeatedly asked him about the issue and that he wanted to explain his side.

The senator's victory comes after the race tightened dramatically in the final weeks, turning what is usually a safe Republican seat into one of the country's most closely watched contests.

Trump carried Kansas by more than 16 points in 2024, but Hamilton's centrist campaign and voter concerns about the economy helped make the race more competitive than expected.

Hamilton, a prominent Methodist pastor, sought to capitalize on frustration over rising costs, including higher fuel and fertilizer prices that have hit farmers across the state. 

He also attracted support from some moderate Republicans and independent voters.

Marshall, who has represented Kansas in the Senate since 2021, campaigned on continuing Trump's agenda and warned that a Democratic victory could hand control of the chamber to the opposition.

Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932, making the close contest an unusual test of Republican strength in a state Trump won comfortably.

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Blake Lively looked as if she had some new pep in her step when she was spotted out in New York City on Tuesday night in a stunning little black dress.

The 39-year-old Gossip Girl star was spotted out in Manhattan's Upper East Side for an event celebrating the launch of jeweler Brent Neale's new holiday collection, according to E! News.

Although Lively was reportedly joined by friends, her husband Ryan Reynolds, 50, didn't appear by her side.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Lively's representative for comment but hasn't yet heard back. 

Lively – who recently revealed her over-the-top beauty regimen – channeled classic glamour in her skimpy black dress, which was decorated with glittering sequins.

The off-the-shoulder minidress featured a playful black bow that covered her cleavage for a touch of modesty.

Blake Lively looked as if she had some new pep in her step when she was spotted out in New York City on Tuesday night in a stunning little black dress

The 39-year-old Gossip Girl star was spotted out in Manhattan's Upper West Side for an event celebrating the launch of jeweler Brent Neale's new holiday collection, according to E! News

Lively – who recently revealed her over-the-top beauty regimen – channeled classic glamour in her skimpy black dress, which was decorated with glittering sequins

Lively's short skirt showcased her toned legs, which culminated in clear Louboutins that strapped around her ankles and featured black-tipped toes.

The It Ends with Us star, who is stepping out in the wake of her bruising legal drama with her former costar and director Justin Baldoni, wore her long blond hair in dramatic waves cascading down her shoulders.

She completed her glamorous ensemble with a simple black leather hobo handbag, and she added some extra sparkle with dangling earrings and multiple enormous sparkling rings.

Lively looked as if she was on top of the world as she beamed for photographers outside the shindig.

The outing comes after Lively revealed the secrets of the beauty regimen she uses to look as if she's in the 'first trimester of life' last week.

The actress took to her Instagram Story to share a candid clip of the nighttime routine she uses to maintain her 'natural beauty.'

She appeared to be wearing headgear with red-light therapy over her hair, in addition to a sheet mask with extra pieces she had pasted to her bare face. 

The Gossip Girl alumna was also bundled up in a brown fleece hoodie while seemingly winding down for the night with her beauty routine.

The off-the-shoulder minidress featured a playful black bow that covered her cleavage for a touch of modesty

Lively's short skirt showcased her toned legs, which culminated in clear Louboutins that strapped around her ankles and featured black-tipped toes

The It Ends with Us star wore her long blond hair in dramatic waves cascading down her shoulders

She completed her glamorous ensemble with a simple black leather hobo handbag

Lively added some extra sparkle with dangling earrings and multiple enormous sparkling rings

Lively looked as if she was on top of the world as she beamed for photographers outside the shindig

The outing comes after Lively revealed the secrets of her beauty regimen last week

She joked that her go-to products make her look as if she's in the 'first trimester of life'

The actress took to her Instagram Story to share a candid clip of the nighttime routine she uses to maintain her 'natural beauty' 

Lively gave a glimpse into her cozy wind-down routine shortly after the drama involving her film It Ends With Us and her director and costar Justin Baldoni. 

'Natural beauty is effortless,' she quipped at the bottom of her post, which pictured her taking a deep breath while the mask covered her face.

Lively also drew thought bubbles around her face, and in one, she wrote: 'If I don't look like I'm in the first trimester of life after this much effort I quit.' 

She continued: 'I miss the 2000s when we just used that handsoap with fish characters on it on our face & called it a day.' 

The Gossip Girl star also noted the lights in the background of her room in another thought bubble: 'My kids' star projector that I stole is a vibe tho.'

She set her candid post to the tune of Fergie and Ludacris' 2006 smash hit Glamorous.

The mother of four – who shares James, 11; Inez, ten; Betty, seven; and Olin, three, with her husband Ryan Reynolds – often shares snippets of her hair and beauty routines on social media.

In August, she shared a video of herself getting ready in her bathroom before rushing out the door as a busy mother and businesswoman. 

The mother of four – who shares James, 11; Inez, ten; Betty, seven; and Olin, three, with her husband Ryan Reynolds – often shares snippets of her hair and beauty routines on social media; above with Reynolds in April 2025 in NYC

In August, she shared a video of herself getting ready in her bathroom before rushing out the door as a busy mother and businesswoman

Her post comes after she was in a legal battle with Baldoni, and the former costars settled right before their trial was set to begin. Baldoni was ultimately ordered to pay $400,000 of Lively's legal fees earlier this year; pictured together in It Ends With Us

'The look: no time but need to look cute while ALSO raising children,' the movie star, who was seen using products from her Blake Brown haircare brand, wrote over the clip. 

'Moment of truth: bun out after running around the city,' she continued, before almost running out the door with her pants unbuttoned.

Her post comes after she was in a legal battle with Baldoni, and the former costars settled right before their trial was set to begin. 

Baldoni was ultimately ordered to pay $400,000 of Lively's legal fees. 

Lively previously sued Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer in December 2024. 

Right before their trial was set to begin earlier this year, Lively was awarded just over $400,000 of the $8 million she sought in legal fees from their dispute due to his countersuit. 

In her lawsuit, Lively asserted that she was subjected to sexual harassment as well as retaliation, alleging he orchestrated a smear campaign to harm her reputation after she brought up complaints about his behavior on set.  

In response, Baldoni denied harassment and claimed Lively made complaints to seize creative control of the movie. 

In June 2025, the countersuit was thrown out. In May of this year, just two weeks before the scheduled trial date, the former costars reached their settlement.

They also released a joint statement, writing that they 'remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments.' 

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