South Dakota Senate Race 2026

Compare candidates running in this South Dakota federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.

Brian Bengs

Party: Independent

Julian Beaudion

Party: Democrat

Justin McNeal

Party: Republican

Mike Rounds

Party: Republican

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South Dakota Senate Race

Election: Nov 3, 2026Updated: Apr 6, 2026
📊Polling
No recent general election polling available
Source: South Dakota News Watch/Chiesman Center for Democracy2024-10-31
36%
Rounds
unknown— unknown

This is a Republican-held seat in a solidly Republican state. Republicans currently hold 53 seats in the Senate.

Brian BengsI
Julian BeaudionD
Justin McNealR
Mike RoundsR

Summary

Brian Bengs is a Navy veteran, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, and former National Park Ranger. He's dedicated his life to the American people and the American way. As an Air Force JAG, he defended the Constitution. He was a professor at the NATO School and Air Force Academy where he taught the law of war. Bengs is a dual-service military veteran, attorney, and former criminal justice professor at Northern State University, and now a Wind Cave National Park Ranger. This time, Brian Bengs is running as an independent in the 2026 election, after previously running as a Democrat in 2022.

Julian Beaudion is a small-business owner and former state trooper from Sioux Falls. He and his wife co-own Swamp Daddy's Cajun Kitchen, and he previously served 13 years as a South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper and is a graduate of the Obama Foundation's Leaders program. While in uniform, Julian organized the state's largest peaceful march after George Floyd's murder and mentored new officers in de escalation and outreach. Julian serves as ED of The HUB SD, an organization dedicated to advancing engagement, leadership development, and community-centered communication strategies across the state. He also owns Swamp Daddy's Cajun Kitchen, a successful restaurant in Sioux Falls that has become a hub for community connection and local entrepreneurship.

McNeal is a Navy veteran and businessman who most recently founded Dakota BioChar, which aims to convert forest waste into material that can be spread on agricultural fields to improve soil health. After leaving the military, McNeal earned an MBA and worked in finance in Hawaii before returning to South Dakota. He now owns Dakota Biochar, a company that works on wood accumulation in the Black Hills National Forest and soil health for South Dakota farmers. McNeal is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate who has submitted enough signatures to appear on the June 2 primary election ballot.

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.

Campaign Promises

Other
  • Anti-corruption and reform
  • Independent caucus in Senate
  • Bipartisan governance
Economy
  • Lower cost of living
Healthcare
  • Healthcare access
Other
  • Labor protections
  • Infrastructure investment
Justice
  • Public safety and law enforcement
Economy
  • Economic growth for small businesses
Education
  • Education protection
Economy
  • Address national debt
  • End corporate subsidies
Other
  • Federal term limits
  • Restore property rights
  • Constitutional liberties
Economy
  • Tax cuts and economic growth
Immigration
  • Strong border security
Other
  • Protecting life
  • Keeping young people in South Dakota
Agriculture
  • Support for agriculture

Key Issue Positions

Political reform and independence
Break free from partisan gridlock
Bengs has said that our republic has become a political industry dominated by two major corporations, the Republican and Democratic Parties. He understands the struggles working families face.
Regular South Dakotans' interests
Represent working people over party machines
Bengs stated "South Dakotans deserve a senator who isn't a gutless robot for some political party and Big Money" and "I'm running because the system needs to hear from someone who understands the reality of most South Dakotans, lives like they do, does his own thinking, and isn't indebted to anyone but them."
Foreign policy restraint
Pursue diplomatic solutions
On Iran conflict, Bengs stated "We must not let this conflict spiral out of control. There are diplomatic solutions if all parties come to the table in good faith."
Working families and affordability
Ensure South Dakota's working families don't get left behind
Beaudion's campaign message is "This campaign isn't about me — it's about securing a future where South Dakota's working families don't get left behind." His priorities include investing in rural infrastructure, expanding telehealth services and supporting workforce development.
Anti-corruption
Fight against big money influence in politics
Beaudion stated "In the Senate, I'll fight to enforce the checks and balances our Constitution demands and reject the influence of big money and tech monopolies threatening our freedoms."
Veteran support
Improve veteran care and VA system
Beaudion is passionate about improving veteran care and ensuring the VA system is fully funded and protected from privatization.
National debt and fiscal responsibility
Make debt reduction the centerpiece of Senate work
In his announcement, McNeal said the largest threat to the nation is its debt, and he pledged to work against what he described as the "unholy trinity": special interests lobbying elected officials, who in turn receive campaign contributions. "This system will never benefit 'We the People,'" McNeal said.
Anti-corruption and anti-special interests
Eliminate the influence of special interests and lobbyists
McNeal states "For too long, South Dakota has elected Senators who succumb to aggressive lobbying by special interests with deep pockets. In turn, those 'bought and paid for' elected officials enact laws, that benefit the special interests and their allies. Those special interests complete the unholy alliance by repaying in kind with massive political campaign contributions."
Energy security
All-of-the-above energy strategy rooted in science
McNeal states "Energy security is national security. With a degree in Nuclear Engineering Technology and real-world experience in nuclear systems, I understand America's energy challenges and opportunities from the inside out." He supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy that will "ensure energy policy lowers costs for families, supports local jobs, and keeps decisions rooted in science—not ideology."
Defense and national security
Supports strong defense spending and military preparedness
Rounds serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and Select Committee on Intelligence.
Pro-life positions
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.
Israel support
Strong support for Israel
Rounds opposed the Iran nuclear deal and supported the move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.
Agriculture
Supports agricultural interests
Rounds sponsors bills primarily in agriculture and food (18%), armed forces and national security (24%), and finance and financial sector (18%).

Top Donors

No donor data available.

No donor data available.

No donor data available.

Securities & Investment industry
$568,196Industry PAC
Top industry supporting Rounds
Apollo Global Management
$47,500Corporate PAC
Top individual corporate donor

Contradictions

No contradictions documented.

No contradictions documented.

No contradictions documented.

Claim: Rounds has emphasized working for South Dakota and limiting special interest influence
Contradiction: According to OpenSecrets, 45.75% of Rounds' campaign contributions come from PACs, while 43.29% come from large individual contributions, indicating significant special interest funding.
Source: OpenSecrets campaign finance data

What Opponents Say

Mike Rounds campaign

Bengs is a fake independent with a radical agenda

Critics have attacked Bengs as "pretending" to be an independent in a desperate attempt to get elected, claiming he favors a "radical liberal agenda" and the "failed Biden agenda."

Mike Rounds

Beaudion is not a viable challenger in a Republican state

South Dakota has been represented exclusively by Republicans in the Senate since 2015, making Democratic challengers historically unsuccessful

Mike Rounds

McNeal is not a viable challenger

Local political observers noted McNeal appears to be setting himself up for difficulty, noting that President Trump already made a strong endorsement of Senator Rounds in late July.

Justin McNeal

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."

Brian Bengs

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.

Endorsements

No endorsements listed.

Obama Foundationorganization

No endorsements listed.

Donald Trumpindividual
Family Research Council Actionorganization
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