In a move that underscores the importance of honoring local business commitments, Kansas Republican Senator Roger Marshall settled a six‑year‑old invoice from a Wichita bakery on Saturday. The bakery, owned by Holly Thomas, had supplied cookies, brownies and cupcakes for Marshall’s 2020 primary election watch party but had never received payment for the $678.75 bill.
Payment and apology
Marshall posted a screenshot showing a $1,300 payment, more than covering the original amount. “We have absolutely no idea how this happened, but rest assured as soon as it became known to us, we immediately attempted to contact the business in order to apologize, and we have repaid the bill from 2020, double,” the senator wrote on social media.
Thomas confirmed the invoice was now paid, saying she could finally “mark the invoice paid.” She also announced she would not support Marshall in the upcoming election, citing the unpaid debt as a personal affront to small‑business owners.
Election context
The repayment comes as Marshall prepares for a competitive Senate race against Democrat Adam Hamilton. A recent poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena University shows the two candidates tied at 45 % among likely voters, reflecting a tight contest in a state that has not sent a Democrat to the Senate in nearly a century.
While the poll does not indicate a clear trend, it highlights the heightened scrutiny on both candidates as voters weigh issues ranging from national leadership to local economic concerns.
Broader criticism of the senator
Marshall’s campaign also faces criticism over a separate report that the former obstetrician‑gynecologist sued more than 700 patients for unpaid medical debt, leading to arrests for missed court dates in at least 81 cases. Democrats have used the story in campaign ads, accusing the senator of disregarding healthcare affordability.
A spokesperson for Marshall, Payton Fuller, responded that the doctor “spent many years treating patients regardless of their ability to pay,” and emphasized that “judges issue warrants when people repeatedly miss court dates, not doctors.”
Local business impact
Thomas’s bakery, which began operations during the height of the COVID‑19 pandemic, represents the many small enterprises that rely on timely payments from larger clients. The settlement serves as a reminder to elected officials of the tangible effects their financial decisions have on local economies.
Marshall’s prompt repayment may help mitigate some of the negative sentiment among Kansas small‑business owners, a constituency that traditionally supports conservative policies that promote economic freedom and reduced regulation.
Looking ahead
As the November election approaches, both campaigns will likely focus on their records of service to Kansas families and the broader national conversation about the direction of the country under President Trump’s administration. Voters will weigh Marshall’s recent actions, including this repayment, against the broader concerns raised about his medical‑debt lawsuits and overall policy positions.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
