Brian Bengs

Why they say you should vote for them

The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.

• Says he will put "South Dakotans ahead of party politics" and runs on a "cowboy code": tell the truth and take care of your neighbor.[1]
• Says his top priority is curbing big money and political corruption, including a constitutional amendment to limit corporate and mega-donor spending.[1],[3]
• Says he would form an independent caucus in the Senate to push reforms such as term limits.[4]
• Pledges to serve no more than two terms.[2]
• Says he decided to run again after federal cuts to the National Park Service carried out through the Department of Government Efficiency.[5]

Background

• Park ranger, including at Wind Cave National Park, National Park Service · Before 2025[1],[5]
• Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate (lost to Sen. John Thune), South Dakota · 2022[5]
• Criminal justice instructor, Northern State University, Aberdeen · 2016–2020[5],[6]
• Judge Advocate General's Corps officer; retired as lieutenant colonel after 19 years, U.S. Air Force · Retired 2016[6],[1]
• Enlisted sailor (two years active duty, then reserves), U.S. Navy · Enlisted at 17[6]

Where they stand

• Abortion
  Supports allowing abortion restrictions after viability, with exceptions for the life or health of the mother.[2]
• Guns
  Says he supports gun rights along with reasonable gun safety measures, and says he owns firearms.[2],[4]
• Immigration
  Supports pairing stronger border security with increased legal immigration, which he says would support economic growth and Social Security.[2]
• Energy & Environment
  Supports halting construction of new AI data centers, says communities should have a right to reject them, and pledges not to accept data center money.[1],[4]
• Social Security & Medicare
  Opposes privatizing Social Security and Medicare.[2]
• Agriculture
  Opposes increased foreign beef imports; supports antitrust action to break up large meatpackers and mandatory labeling of imported meat.[2],[3],[4]
• Foreign Policy
  Calls the war in Iran unconstitutional and says he would not vote to continue it, while saying the U.S. should commit to reopening the Strait of Hormuz rather than pulling out early.[3],[4],[2]
• Elections & Democracy
  Supports term limits of two terms for senators and six for House members, age limits for Congress, a ban on members trading individual stocks, and federal redistricting reform.[2],[4]

Voting record

Brian Bengs has not held an office with a recorded voting record. See Background and Where they stand.

In their words