Kansas Senate hopeful Adam Hamilton acknowledges lapse in handling 2005 abuse case

In a contentious Kansas Senate debate, Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton, who also serves as pastor of the Church of the Resurrection, acknowledged a mistake in not ensuring that volunteer Scott Moore was excluded from a 2006 retreat after earlier abuse allegations. Hamilton explained that an internal review of two boys’ 2005 complaints was deemed inconclusive and that law enforcement later arrived at the same assessment, yet he maintains Moore should never have returned.

The two victims, aged 14 and 15 at the time, later testified against Moore, who was convicted in 2013 of misdemeanor sexual battery for a separate incident. Hamilton noted the church eventually prohibited Moore from working with minors and played a role in his later arrest. The admission came amid attacks from incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall, who also faced scrutiny over lawsuits against his medical practice. Hamilton positions himself as a moderate Democrat in a close Senate race.