Beef is big business in Kansas, and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall is leaning heavily into that fact for his reelection campaign. Recently, he targeted his Democratic challenger, Adam Hamilton, accusing him of harboring ambitions to destroy the state’s cornerstone cattle sector.
“In a state with more cattle than people, here’s the guy that wants to shut down the beef industry,” Marshall claimed during an October 16 appearance on Sean Hannity’s podcast.
Data from the Kansas Livestock Association confirms that cattle do indeed outnumber humans in the Sunflower State. However, a review of the record shows no evidence that Hamilton has ever pushed to dismantle the beef industry—a feat that would be nearly impossible for a single lawmaker to accomplish anyway. Requests for comment sent to Marshall’s campaign spokespersons went unanswered.
A Look Back at Hamilton’s 2020 Environmental Address
During his podcast interview, Hannity alleged that Hamilton had once instructed his church members to “repent for eating beef.”
Hamilton serves as a founding pastor at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, though his campaign noted he has temporarily stepped away from pastoral duties to focus on the race.
The comment in question stems from a 44-minute sermon delivered by Hamilton on January 27, 2020, titled “What Would Jesus Say About Climate Change,” where he encouraged listeners to minimize their environmental impact.
“Some of the things that we grow because we like to eat them like cattle end up producing more carbon dioxide than other crops that we could grow or other forms of food that we could have,” Hamilton stated during the address. “In all of these ways we are creating or adding to the amount of greenhouse gases in our world.”
Later in the address, he urged congregants to curb fossil fuel consumption and adapt their diets “so that the things that you eat are requiring less production that creates methane and carbon dioxide.”
Alongside dietary adjustments, Hamilton offered standard conservation tips, such as keeping vehicle tires properly inflated, driving fuel-efficient automobiles, and planting trees.
He later touched on the concept of repentance, defining it as a shift in perspective and behavior. “I’m calling us to repentance, to say I realize that this has impact, even if it seems small, it has an impact on the world and future generations, and I feel badly about that,” he told the audience.
Hamilton Emphasizes Support for Kansas Cattle Producers
Addressing the controversy in an October 2 interview with Politico’s Dasha Burns, Hamilton was asked how he reconciles his past climate comments with ranchers concerned for their livelihoods.
While acknowledging that cattle naturally release methane through digestion—a well-documented biological process—Hamilton maintained his backing for the local economy.
“There are ways of addressing that; one of those is, well, somebody could eat less meat,” Hamilton remarked. “If I’m the senator from Kansas, I’m going to be a champion for beef eating.”
When Burns pressed him on whether he genuinely believes people should cut back on meat, Hamilton countered that he consumes plenty of meat himself.
When Burns noted his previous statements seemed to suggest otherwise, Hamilton pointed to alternative methods for reducing carbon footprints, such as improving home energy efficiency.
“But another solution is there are things that can be included in the diet for cattle that help produce less methane,” he added, reiterating, “I’m going to be a friend and a champion for the cattle industry in Kansas.”
To underscore his stance, Hamilton’s campaign highlighted various social media posts in which he pushed back against foreign beef imports and argued that tariffs and rising fuel costs are squeezing farmers. One highlighted video even featured Hamilton at the grill preparing steaks.
Additionally, the campaign noted that Marshall himself has previously expressed support for legislation aimed at curbing livestock methane emissions.
Evaluation
Senator Marshall claimed that Adam Hamilton is intent on shutting down the beef industry.
However, Hamilton has made no such statement or proposal.
While a 2020 sermon on climate change featured remarks about cattle emissions and suggestions that congregants evaluate their diets to lower carbon footprints, Hamilton has since made it clear he views himself as an ally to Kansas ranchers. In recent interviews, he explicitly stated his intention to champion the cattle industry if elected.
Because Hamilton’s commentary on dietary choices and climate change does not equate to a plan to eliminate the beef sector, the claim is unfounded.
We rate this claim False.
PolitiFact New York Reporter Conor Amendola contributed to this report.
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