The massive American district that functions as a political launchpad for the Senate
In short: Spanning more than half of Kansas, 'The Big First' is the seventh-largest congressional district in the nation not covering an entire state. It is a Republican stronghold where representatives often leverage their massive constituency to ascend to the United States Senate.
Known colloquially as 'The Big First', this district encompasses roughly 60 counties. Its political character is defined by a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+15, making it the most Republican district in Kansas. In many elections, Republican candidates win by over 65 percent when facing opposition. The only areas where Democrats remain competitive are Riley and Douglas counties, largely due to the influence of Kansas State University and the University of Kansas. The district's demographic landscape is notably diverse, with Hispanic or Latino residents making up 10.85% of the population. While the majority of residents are White, the area also includes significant Black, Asian, and Native American communities.
The district's history is one of significant geographic shifts. Originally established in 1875, its boundaries have been repeatedly redrawn by census results and legislative acts. In 1883, Governor George Washington Glick approved a reduction in its size, and by 1905, the district included counties such as Nemaha, Brown, and Doniphan. The current configuration, which emerged from the 1960 census, was formed by merging much of the old 2nd district with the 6th district, previously represented by Bob Dole. The district's boundaries have seen recent major shifts, such as the 2022 movement of the entirety of Lawrence into the district. This change followed a 2012 redistricting process overseen by a panel of three federal judges.
Beyond its size, the district serves as a notable stepping stone for national politics. Following the 1963 redistricting, four individuals from this area moved to the U.S. Senate. Senators include Bob Dole, Pat Roberts, Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall. This pattern of long tenures and upward mobility has made the district's representatives significant statewide political figures, often commanding vast influence across two different time zones. The political lineage of the district is also marked by notable figures like Tim Huelskamp, who served from 2011 to 2017. His successor, Roger Marshall, eventually transitioned to the Senate after winning a 2020 election.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Kansas's 1st congressional district
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