Honestly, if you're living in Kansas or just curious about who's pulling the levers in D.C. for the Sunflower State, you're looking at two names that have become fixtures in the landscape. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall. Both are Republicans. Both have deep roots in the state’s massive agricultural sector. But they aren't carbon copies of each other, and with 2026 shaping up to be a chaotic election year, their roles are under a microscope more than ever.
Kansas hasn't sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since the 1930s. That is a long time. It’s a streak that defines the state's political identity, but don't let the "R" next to their names fool you into thinking it's all one-size-fits-all politics.
Who Are the Senators for Kansas? The Current Lineup
Right now, the seats are held by Jerry Moran, the senior senator, and Roger Marshall, the junior senator. Moran has been around the block—he's been in the Senate since 2011 after a long stint in the House. Marshall is the "new guy" by comparison, having moved from the House to the Senate in 2021.
Jerry Moran: The Appropriator
Jerry Moran is kinda the quiet workhorse of the pair. He's currently the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science. That sounds like a mouthful, but basically, it means he holds the purse strings for some of the biggest agencies in the country.
Just this week, in mid-January 2026, Moran made waves by securing $36 million for the University of Kansas Cancer Center. He also just pushed through $14 million for local law enforcement across Kansas—everything from new patrol cars in Abilene to body cams for small-town sheriffs. He plays the "inside game" very well. He's the guy you go to if you want to make sure Kansas doesn't get forgotten when the federal budget is being carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey.
💡 You might also like: Percentage of Women That Voted for Trump: What Really Happened
Roger Marshall: The Doctor in the Room
Then you've got Roger Marshall. He's an OB-GYN by trade, and he leans into that "Doctor Marshall" brand hard. He's much more of a firebrand than Moran. While Moran is often seen as a traditional institutionalist, Marshall is frequently at the center of the big, loud national debates.
He’s currently pushing the Credit Card Competition Act alongside Democrat Dick Durbin. It’s an interesting alliance. He's trying to take on the "duopoly" of Visa and Mastercard to lower swipe fees for small businesses. President Trump actually just voiced support for this bill earlier this morning, calling those fees "out of control." Marshall is also dealing with the pressure of a 2026 re-election bid, which is already starting to heat up with primary challengers and Democratic "outsider" candidates eyeing his seat.
What Do They Actually Do for Kansas?
It’s easy to think of these guys as just names on a ballot, but their committee assignments tell the real story of what they do all day. In a state like Kansas, if you aren't on the Agriculture Committee, you might as well be invisible.
- Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Both Moran and Marshall sit here. This is where the Farm Bill happens. In Kansas, where wheat and cattle are king, this committee is the literal bread and butter of their jobs.
- Appropriations: Moran’s seat here is gold. It’s why he can bring home $29 million for water infrastructure and lake maintenance (like the work at Council Grove and Tuttle Creek) that keeps the state from flooding.
- Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP): Marshall uses his medical background here. He's constantly digging into NIH funding and pandemic preparedness, often being a thorn in the side of federal health agencies.
Why 2026 is a Big Deal
We are officially in an election year for the Class II Senate seat. That’s Roger Marshall’s seat.
📖 Related: What Category Was Harvey? The Surprising Truth Behind the Number
The filing deadline is June 1st, and the primary is set for August 4, 2026. Marshall already has a primary challenger in Chase LaPorte, and several Democrats like Christy Davis and Anne Parelkar are reportedly in the mix. Marshall has been touting a "results" report this week, claiming he brought back over $191 million to Kansas in 2025 alone through casework and grants. He’s clearly in campaign mode.
The Friction and the Future
If you follow Kansas politics, you know it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. There is a weird tension between the federal representatives and the state government. While Moran and Marshall are locking down federal funds, back in Topeka, the state legislature is wrestling with property taxes and electric rates.
Some people think the senators should do more about "affordability"—a word you're going to hear a million times this year. Kansans are feeling the squeeze at the grocery store and when they pay their Evergy bills. While Marshall fights credit card companies in D.C., his critics argue that more needs to be done about the cost of living directly in the Midwest.
Quick Summary of Kansas Senators (2026)
| Feature | Jerry Moran | Roger Marshall |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Senior Senator | Junior Senator |
| In Office Since | 2011 | 2021 |
| Next Election | 2028 | 2026 (Active) |
| Recent Win | $36M for KU Cancer Center | Credit Card Competition Act support |
| Vibe | Measured, focused on funding | Bold, focused on reform & health |
How to Get in Touch
Look, these guys work for you. If you’re having a nightmare with the IRS or your VA benefits are stuck in limbo, their offices have "caseworkers" specifically for this.
👉 See also: When Does Joe Biden's Term End: What Actually Happened
You can find Moran in offices scattered across the state—Olathe, Wichita, Manhattan, Hays, Garden City, and Pittsburg. Marshall has a similar footprint. They aren't just in D.C.; they have staff on the ground in Kansas whose whole job is to answer the phone when you're mad about a federal agency.
Actionable Next Steps for Kansans
If you're looking to engage with who are the senators for Kansas, don't just wait for the TV commercials to start.
- Check your registration: With the 2026 primary coming up in August, make sure your voter registration is current through the Kansas Secretary of State’s office.
- Submit a "Flag Request": Did you know you can ask your senator’s office to fly a flag over the U.S. Capitol for a special occasion? It’s a cool service that both Moran and Marshall offer through their websites.
- Voice your opinion on the Credit Card Act: If you're a small business owner, Marshall’s office is actively looking for "real-world examples" of how swipe fees affect your bottom line. You can submit these directly through his constituent portal.
- Track the Appropriations: Watch the local news for "Energy and Water Development" grants. If your town’s bridge or dam gets a facelift this year, it’s likely because of Moran’s work on the Appropriations Committee.
The political machine in Kansas is moving fast right now. Between Moran securing massive healthcare funding and Marshall gearing up for a tough re-election fight, the 2026 session is going to be anything but boring.