State sen. Patrick Schmidt said experience sets him apart in U.S. Senate primary for Kansas
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Who is Patrick Schmidt and why is he running for U.S. Senate?
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From KCUR, this is Up to Date with guest host Brian Ellison. I'm producer Elizabeth Ruiz. Patrick Schmidt is a first-term Kansas state senator representing parts of Lawrence and Topeka. He's part of the Democratic superminority in the Kansas Senate, but he hopes not to be there for long. There are 11 Democrats facing off to challenge incumbent Republican Roger Marshall for a seat in the U.S. Senate, and Patrick Schmidt is one of them. UpToDate has spoken with candidates Christy Davis of Cottonwood Falls and Leawood pastor Adam Hamilton. Today, UpToDate continues those conversations with our guest host, Brian Ellison, speaking with Kansas State Senator Patrick Schmidt about his candidacy. Let's listen.
So it's hard for candidates to get traction with so many candidates in the race. So take a minute to tell us about yourself. Why at this point in your life and career do you think Kansans want to send you to Washington?
Absolutely. Well, I've had two sessions in the Kansas State Senate now, and we've got a Republican supermajority. And from those two sessions, it's been abundantly clear, unfortunately, that the majority is not serious candidates. about reducing cost of living or taking on corruption that we have in the state of Kansas. And, you know, I've worked hard to partner with Republicans on both of those issues. You know, property taxes is front and center for a lot of people's minds. That's why a lot of people got elected in 2024 in Kansas.
What are Schmidt’s top three campaign priorities?
we weren't able to pass meaningful property tax legislation either this year or last year. And, you know, so the issues that are confronting Kansans right now are bigger than what I can address in the state Senate. And I think coupled with that, my wife and I, Megan, had our first child November, seven and a half months ago. And, you know, we're pretty concerned about the country that, you know, some people want to build right now, certainly at the federal level. And we don't want Graham to grow up in that kind of world and want to do something about it.
Wow. We were talking just briefly there at the break that campaigning is hard in any season. Having a seven-month-old at home must make it especially hard.
Every day is a gift. And we're very fortunate. He's very happy and healthy and he's very chubby. And so we're having a lot of fun with that.
So if you had to name three priorities, and we'll ask you about them in greater detail here in a minute, but briefly, what three issues would you say define your campaign? What do you want to focus on should Kansas elect you to the U.S. Senate?
Well, I think certainly top of mind for me, my campaign, and the voters that I'm talking to is the cost of living. We've seen from the war and this tariff regime, which has been incredibly unpredictable, is that it's causing prices to go up for everyday Kansans every day. It's on the tune of thousands of dollars. per household per year. It's especially hitting our agricultural sectors, especially hitting manufacturers. And I think what makes that worse and what makes that significantly worse is the corruption that we're seeing at the federal level. You've got people that are making money right and left, selling access to the White House, selling access to the majority in the U.S. Senate, making billions of dollars.
So while Kansans are getting fleeced, they're making billions of dollars.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
Who is Patrick Schmidt and why is he running for U.S. Senate?
0:00–2:08
2
What are Schmidt’s top three campaign priorities?
2:08–3:56
3
How does Schmidt propose to tackle Kansas’ cost‑of‑living crisis?
3:56–6:00
4
Why does Schmidt call himself the “door‑knocking‑est” candidate?
6:00–7:50
5
What is Schmidt’s stance on federal corruption and tariffs?
7:50–10:25
6
How does Schmidt plan to address health‑care affordability?
10:25–12:41
7
What controversy arose around the campaign’s accusations against Adam Hamilton?
12:41–15:19
8
How has Schmidt’s military and legislative experience shaped his Senate outlook?
15:19–17:26
Speakers
3 identifiedMore from Up To Date
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