President Donald Trump arrived in western Kansas on Monday to rally support for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sen. Roger Marshall. The stop comes as Kansas farmers confront a costly harvest season, with diesel prices more than $2.50 per gallon higher than a year ago and input costs climbing sharply.
Local farmers feel the squeeze
Glenn Brunkow, a fifth‑generation farmer and president of the Kansas Farm Bureau, described the harvest period as “go time” but warned that the surge in diesel—now averaging $6.30 per gallon nationwide, a rise of over 70%—is squeezing margins. “When we use a lot of fuel, anything that cuts into that margin really hurts,” Brunkow said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects net farm income will fall 2.6% this year, with production expenses up 4.5% and fuel and oil costs expected to jump nearly 30%.
Trump administration’s response
Earlier this month President Trump signed an executive order expanding the tax‑free use of red‑dyed diesel, a measure the administration says will save millions for farmers. The move follows a $12 billion aid package for agriculture announced in December.
While the relief has helped some producers, many farmers remain uneasy about their financial outlook. Brunkow noted that, despite the assistance, “many farmers thought it would be better under Trump, although most would still consider him the better choice in the 2024 election.”
Political stakes in the Senate race
Marshall faces a strong challenge from Democrat Adam Hamilton, who has been campaigning on local issues such as healthcare costs and trade agreements. Democrats have not won a Kansas Senate seat in 94 years, but rising economic pressures have given the race new urgency.
Don Hineman, a western Kansas rancher and former Republican state House majority leader, said frustration among GOP voters is growing beyond the farming community. He cited concerns over tariffs, the ongoing war with Iran, and recent immigration raids that detained more than 100 people.
“We need a secure border we can all agree on, but also a workable immigration policy that provides the workforce the United States has always depended on,” Hineman said.
Voter sentiment
Local residents expressed mixed feelings. Debbie Geneva, 61, of Nortonville, said she was impressed by Hamilton’s recent market visit, something she hadn’t seen Marshall do. “I’ve never voted for a Democrat in my entire life, so it’s a little scary for me to be undecided,” she admitted.
Farmers and ranchers like Brunkow and Hineman voiced concerns that the traditional Republican argument—that electing a Democrat would empower a liberal wing—is losing its effectiveness with some voters.
National implications
Trump’s Kansas stop is part of a broader Midterm push that includes a visit to Iowa later in the week, another key agricultural state. The Trump administration continues to emphasize policies aimed at reducing regulatory burdens and supporting energy independence, which it argues benefit rural economies.
Club for Growth President David McIntosh noted that heavy‑agriculture states remain a focus for GOP spending, with nearly $15 million poured into a Nebraska Senate race. He warned that economic frustrations could dampen enthusiasm if not addressed.
Looking ahead
As the midterm campaign season intensifies, the administration’s agricultural relief measures and the Republican Senate campaign will be closely watched by Kansas voters. The outcome could shape the balance of power in Washington and influence future policy decisions affecting the nation’s farms.
Original reporting: KSHB 41 Kansas City (local) — read the source article.
