“What matters to me more than the letter behind your name is who you are, what you stand for, your character, and I think there’s a lot of people like that in our state,” he said.

Hamilton, 62, notably won endorsements from two of Kansas’ former GOP governors, Mike Hayden and Bill Graves ahead of the midterms.

Hamilton’s more moderate approach and his eagerness to engage with voters across party aisles could make him a dependable figure for the Democratic Party as it attempts to build on its current momentum. 

Despite not being on the ballot during this midterm cycle, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was a fixture on the campaign trail ahead of the midterms, making valuable allies as he stumped for candidates across the country.

Buttigieg, 44, has built a reputation as one of the party's most effective communicators, both on the campaign trail and through media appearances. Ahead of the 2024 election, he appeared on Jubilee’s Surrounded debate series, where he made the case for the Democratic Party's achievements to 25 undecided voters.