Mike Rounds was born in Huron, South Dakota in 1954. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from South Dakota State University in 1977 and worked as an insurance executive. He served in the South Dakota Senate from 1991 to 2000, serving as minority whip from 1993 to 1994 and majority leader from 1995 to 2000, and as Governor of South Dakota from 2003 to 2011. Rounds was sworn into the U.S. Senate in 2015 and was reelected in 2020, winning both races by 20 percentage points.
Rounds was born October 24, 1954. He was raised in Pierre, South Dakota and attended South Dakota State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. He was elected to the South Dakota Senate in 1990, representing the 24th district until 2001. He ran for governor of South Dakota in 2002 and after an upset victory in the Republican primary, won the general election. He was reelected in 2006. In 2014, Rounds was elected to the United States Senate, succeeding retiring Democrat Tim Johnson. He was reelected in 2020.
Supports strong defense spending and military preparedness
Rounds serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and Select Committee on Intelligence.
Voting History: Rounds has sponsored legislation focused on armed forces, national security, and defense matters
Strongly pro-life
Rounds received the Family Research Council (FRC) Action's 'True Blue' award for his 100 percent rating to protect life, religious liberty and family values.
Voting History: 100% voting record on pro-life issues according to Family Research Council
Strong support for Israel
Rounds opposed the Iran nuclear deal and supported the move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.
Voting History: Cosponsored multiple pro-Israel bills
Supports agricultural interests
Rounds sponsors bills primarily in agriculture and food (18%), armed forces and national security (24%), and finance and financial sector (18%).
Voting History: Consistently advocates for agricultural policy and South Dakota farm interests
From January 2015 to March 2026, Rounds missed 350 of 4,165 roll call votes, which is 8.4%, much worse than the median of 2.8% among the lifetime records of senators currently serving.
| Bill | Title | Vote | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S. 105 | Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act | Yea | 2026 | Legislation sponsored by Rounds to designate a memorial at Wounded Knee |
| Life at Conception Act | S. 3667 | Sponsor | 2026-01-15 | Rounds introduced the Life at Conception Act, legislation to legally recognize the right to life by extending 14th Amendment protections. |
Rounds' social media is largely professional and focused on legislative accomplishments and constituent services, aligning with his official Senate website tone
Pleased to be in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump as he signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law
Demonstrates alignment with Trump administration priorities
View post →Rounds represents Washington's system rather than South Dakota
McNeal's campaign contrasts their positions, stating "The Difference: Justin represents South Dakota's voice. Rounds represent Washington's system." and "The Difference: Justin wants to fix the system. Rounds is comfortable inside it."
Rounds does not adequately represent regular South Dakotans
A Public Policy Polling survey showed South Dakotans disapprove of Rounds' job performance more than approve (42% disapprove vs. 40% approve), with only 35% believing Rounds deserves reelection while 48% say it's time for someone else.