Federal race · November 3, 2026
U.S. Senate
One of South Dakota's two U.S. senators, who vote on federal legislation, confirm presidential nominees and ratify treaties.
6-year term. Regular election for the seat held by Republican Sen. Mike Rounds, who is seeking a third term. Rounds won the June 2, 2026, Republican primary over Justin McNeal. Brian Bengs, the 2022 Democratic nominee, qualified by petition as an independent. Democratic nominee Julian Beaudion withdrew on Aug. 4, 2026, and the South Dakota Democratic Party said it would not name a replacement; the Secretary of State lists him as withdrawn, so no Democrat is on the ballot.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name.
Brian Bengs
Retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel; former National Park Service rangerBrian Bengs is a Navy veteran and retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who taught at Northern State University and later worked as a National Park Service ranger. The 2022 Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, he is running as an independent and says his top priority is curbing big money and corruption in politics, alongside congressional term limits, a halt to new data centers and ending the war in Iran.
Mike Rounds
U.S. Senator from South Dakota (since 2015)Mike Rounds is a Republican U.S. senator, first elected in 2014, who served as South Dakota's governor from 2003 to 2011 and earlier as state Senate majority leader. He is seeking a third term, pointing to tax cuts, border security, agriculture and national defense, and says keeping young people in South Dakota is a priority.
Compare on the issues
Summaries of each candidate's stated positions. See each profile for sources and details.
| Issue | Brian Bengs Independent | Mike Rounds Republican |
|---|---|---|
| Abortion | Supports allowing abortion restrictions after viability, with exceptions for the life or health of the mother. | Describes himself as pro-life; as governor, signed a trigger law banning abortion in South Dakota except when the mother's life is at risk. |
| Agriculture | Opposes increased foreign beef imports; supports antitrust action to break up large meatpackers and mandatory labeling of imported meat. | Said he disagreed with the president's decision to import more foreign beef; has proposed a Ranch Act to support domestic cattle production. |
| 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. | Does not support congressional term limits, saying voters can decide at each election whether to keep a member. |
| 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. | Supports an "all-of-the-above" approach to domestic energy and says voluntary E-15 fuel should be allowed nationwide to help lower gas prices. |
| 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. | Says the U.S. must stay ahead of China in artificial intelligence and has called for an endgame and a national defense strategy for the war in Iran. |
| Guns | Says he supports gun rights along with reasonable gun safety measures, and says he owns firearms. | Says he supports the Second Amendment and works in the Senate to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners. |
| Immigration | Supports pairing stronger border security with increased legal immigration, which he says would support economic growth and Social Security. | Says border security is essential to national security; has supported funding for border wall construction, surveillance technology and enforcement personnel. |
| Social Security & Medicare | Opposes privatizing Social Security and Medicare. | Says he is committed to protecting Social Security and Medicare and supports changes to keep them solvent without cutting benefits. |