2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Mike Rounds currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Alignment with President Trump's agenda.
Agriculture policy for South Dakota producers.
A hawkish posture on foreign policy; he is endorsed by AIPAC.
Conservative fiscal policy.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Senator from South Dakota since January 2015.
Governor of South Dakota, 2003–2011; previously South Dakota Senate majority leader.
Won the June 2 2026 Republican primary with 75.8%, about 101,284 votes, over Justin McNeal.
Endorsed by President Trump and by AIPAC.
Raised $3.77 million as of March 2026, against his independent opponent's roughly $564,715.
Arguments in favor
Eight years as governor and twelve in the Senate give him an executive and legislative record in a small state that depends on federal agriculture policy.
— Sen. Mike Rounds's Senate office and campaign
He carries President Trump's endorsement in a state Trump carried heavily, and took over 75% of his own primary vote.
— President Donald Trump's endorsement, as reported by Ballotpedia
His opponent is 'pretending' to be an independent in a desperate attempt to get elected, and would in fact advance a radical liberal agenda.
— Rounds campaign messaging, as reported in South Dakota race coverage
Arguments against
He has taken corporate PAC money and benefited from the consolidation of political power by mega-donors, which his opponent has made the central issue of the race.
— Brian Bengs, his independent opponent
He has not protected South Dakotans on the cost of living or on health care access, the two issues voters raise most.
— Brian Bengs, his independent opponent
He has not resisted the privatisation of Veterans Affairs health care, which would move care away from the federal institutions veterans rely on.
— Brian Bengs, his independent opponent
What we couldn’t verify
His position on tariffs and their effect on South Dakota agriculture.
Radical campaign finance reform targeting corporate PAC influence and the consolidation of political power by mega-donors.
Health care access.
Reducing the cost of living.
Re-balancing the tax code so top earners and corporations carry more of the national debt burden.
Hard-line resistance to privatising the Veterans Affairs health care system.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force veteran.
Former political science professor at Northern State University.
Democratic nominee for this Senate seat in 2022.
Filed as an independent for 2026; endorsed by the Forward Party.
Raised approximately $564,715 as of March 2026, against the incumbent's $3.77 million.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
His central proposal is campaign finance reform aimed at corporate PAC money and mega-donor influence, which he argues is upstream of every other problem voters raise.
— Brian Bengs, in an interview with KOTA
He is a Navy and Air Force veteran who opposes privatising VA health care, and is endorsed by the Forward Party as a genuine alternative to both major parties.
— Brian Bengs for Senate campaign, and the Forward Party endorsement
With no Democrat on the ballot, he is the only alternative to the incumbent.
— Brian Bengs, as reported by the South Dakota Standard
Arguments against
He is 'pretending' to be an independent in a desperate attempt to get elected — he was the Democratic nominee for this same seat four years ago.
— Rounds campaign messaging, as reported in South Dakota race coverage
Behind the independent label he would advance a 'radical liberal agenda' and the 'failed Biden agenda.'
— Rounds campaign messaging, as reported in South Dakota race coverage
He lost this seat as a major-party nominee in 2022, has never held elected office, and is being outspent roughly seven to one.
— Campaign finance filings and the 2022 result, as reported by Ballotpedia and FEC records
What we couldn’t verify
Which party he would caucus with if elected, which determines what his election would mean for Senate control; no statement from him on this was located.
His positions on abortion, immigration and agriculture.
Whether the South Dakota Democratic Party has formally endorsed him after declining to replace its own nominee.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
There is no Democrat on the November ballot in South Dakota. Former state trooper Julian Beaudion won the June 2 2026 Democratic primary unopposed, then withdrew on August 4 2026, citing extraordinary personal challenges including a house fire, financial difficulties and what he described as intimidating threats to drop out of the race. The South Dakota Democratic Party's central committee had until the following Tuesday to name a replacement and a party official said it would not do so, leaving independent Brian Bengs as the only significant challenger to the incumbent.
Roster established from NBC News, Roll Call, the Washington Post, South Dakota Searchlight and SDPB, cross-checked. Republican incumbent Mike Rounds won his primary with 75.8% over Justin McNeal. Bengs, who was the Democratic nominee for this seat in 2022, filed as an independent this time. No minor-party candidate could be confirmed for the November ballot.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A South Dakota ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at South Dakota Secretary of State.