Sen. Mark Kelly rallies Kansas Democrats at Overland Park gala
U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona urged Kansas Democrats to turn out in the 2026 elections during a visit to Overland Park on Saturday.
Kelly was the featured speaker at the Johnson County Democratic Party’s 11th annual Forever the Free State Gala at the Overland Park Convention Center.
Organizers said the sold-out event drew more than 1,000 people.
“Democrats have an opportunity to win here,” Kelly told the crowd.
The Arizona Democrat used his appearance to support Adam Hamilton, an Overland Park pastor and Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Sen. Roger Marshall.
“Like a lot of other places in the country, control of the U.S. Senate could run through Kansas,” Kelly said. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a Democrat in the Senate from Kansas. We can change that this year.”
Kelly said elections can determine how Congress responds to concerns including the rising costs of rent and homeownership.
“My message is, elections matter,” Kelly said. “If you want to address a bunch of the issues that the American people are facing — especially young people — cost of rent and homeownership, all those things keep going up. If you want that to change, you have to elect new people to Congress.”
Kelly also addressed redistricting and representation, saying he hopes voters view those issues through the lens of democracy and respond by casting ballots.
“My hope here is that Americans see this as an issue about representation and about democracy, and they come out and vote,” Kelly said.
The senator campaigned in Iowa on Friday and was scheduled to appear at a Missouri event Sunday with U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.
Saturday’s gala was the Johnson County Democratic Party’s primary annual fundraiser. The party said proceeds support its permanent Overland Park office, professional staff and outreach to more than 148,000 registered Democrats in Johnson County.