No Democrat has won a Kansas Senate seat in a century. Can a megachurch pastor change that?

Emporia, Kan. (AP) — Adam Hamilton, founder of the United Methodist church's largest congregation, is running for U.S. Senate as a Democrat. With no Democrat having won a Kansas Senate seat in over a century, Hamilton's candidacy is a bold move. As a first-time candidate, he must balance his political ambition with his spiritual obligations.

His pastorate has given him a unique platform and prominence within a state dominated by Republicans who have won every Senate race for nearly a century. Some in his own party view Hamilton as too liberal, while conservatives are wary of his religious leadership. If elected, Hamilton plans to continue serving as senior pastor, preaching several times a year.

He has promised not to use his Senate position to evangelize but still peppers his remarks with biblical references and discusses Jesus' teachings with voters. In his campaign, Hamilton has faced attacks from the Christian right for suggesting non-Christians can achieve salvation after death, a sermon he claims is aligned with other prominent Christian figures.

Democrats also question whether Hamilton's values align with those of Kansans. With a nearly evenly split congregation between Democrats, Republicans, and independents, Hamilton's ability to win over centrist churchgoers and secular liberals could be crucial in a state where Democrats have not come within 10 points of winning a Senate race in more than 50 years.