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GOP’s Roberts has first Kansas Senate race debate

FILE - In this July 28, 2014, file photo, Greg Orman, right, an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in Kansas, campaigns with his wife, Sybil, left, in Topeka. An afterthought all year, Kansas is suddenly abuzz as an independent candidate, Orman, drives the Democrat from the race and improves his position to take down Republican Sen. Pat Roberts. (AP Photo/John Hanna, File)
FILE - In this July 28, 2014, file photo, Greg Orman, right, an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in Kansas, campaigns with his wife, Sybil, left, in Topeka. An afterthought all year, Kansas is suddenly abuzz as an independent candidate, Orman, drives the Democrat from the race and improves his position to take down Republican Sen. Pat Roberts. (AP Photo/John Hanna, File) FILE - In this July 28, 2014, file photo, Greg Orman, right, an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in Kansas, campaigns with his wife, Sybil, left, in Topeka. An afterthought all year, Kansas is suddenly abuzz as an independent candidate, Orman, drives the Democrat from the race and improves his position to take down Republican Sen. Pat Roberts. (AP Photo/John Hanna, File)

By Associated Press 1 min read

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) – Republican Sen. Pat Roberts is preparing for his first debate against a surprisingly strong independent campaign challenger in a race that has suddenly become a battleground for control of the Senate.

The 78-year-old Roberts will match wits with his main challenger, Greg Orman, on Saturday at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. Such state fair debates traditionally mark the start of Kansas’ fall campaign season.

The race was upended this week. Democrat Chad Taylor ended his campaign and presumably boosted the chances of Orman, a 45-year-old businessman. Meanwhile, Roberts overhauled his struggling campaign as he seeks a fourth term.

The GOP needs a net gain of six seats to capture a Senate majority and has always counted on Roberts winning re-election. Orman has promised to caucus with the majority party.