Senate race · 2026

South Dakota Senate Race

This election is to elect a member of the U.S. Senate to represent South Dakota, with Republican incumbent Mike Rounds seeking a third term. Republicans have not lost a Senate election in South Dakota since 2008, making this a challenging race for non-Republican candidates.

All 2026 races

3 candidates · what each one campaigns on

Mike Rounds

Republican · Incumbent

Their record

Currently: U.S. Senator

Mike Rounds has served in the U.S. Senate since 2015, following eight years as governor and 10 years in the state Legislature.

Campaign platform

Economic Growth
Rounds emphasizes priorities including economic growth for South Dakota.
EconomySource
Agriculture
Rounds prioritizes agriculture as a key focus for the state.
AgricultureSource
Veterans' Services
Supporting veterans' services is a stated priority for Rounds.
VeteransSource
National Defense
National defense, including Ellsworth Air Force Base and the National Guard, is a focus for Rounds.
DefenseSource
Keeping Young People in State
Rounds is concerned about keeping young people in South Dakota and creating opportunities for future generations.
EconomySource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Brian Bengs

Independent

Brian Bengs is a retired Navy veteran who has taught at Northern State University and worked at Wind Cave National Park.

Campaign platform

Money in Politics
Bengs identifies money in politics as the single biggest issue responsible for many other problems.
DemocracySource
Affordability
Bengs is focused on issues of affordability, including the cost of gas, fertilizer, food, and health care.
EconomySource
Term Limits
Bengs supports term limits for senators, committing to no more than two six-year terms if elected.
DemocracySource
Age Limits
Bengs advocates for age limits in public office, suggesting individuals should retire around 70.
DemocracySource
Systemic Reforms
Bengs believes systemic reforms are needed to address the dysfunctional gridlock caused by the two-party system.
DemocracySource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Justin McNeal

Republican

Justin McNeal is a Navy veteran and businessman who founded Dakota BioChar, which converts forest waste into agricultural material.

Campaign platform

Restrained but strong defense
A Navy submarine veteran who opposes reckless entanglements while backing a prepared military.
National SecuritySource
Protect constitutional rights
Supports free speech, religious liberty and Second Amendment rights against federal overreach.
Democracy & GovernmentSource
Land and agriculture protections
Supports property rights and defending farmers and ranchers from regulatory burdens.
Agriculture & RuralSource
VA accountability
Pledges to improve VA access, expand rural mental health care and cut benefits red tape.
VeteransSource
All-of-the-above energy
Supports expanding domestic energy including nuclear and grid reliability.
Energy & EnvironmentSource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Platform items are drawn from candidates’ own campaign materials and public reporting, summarised neutrally. They are what a candidate says they will do — not a judgement about whether they will do it. Once a candidate is serving in Congress, their record moves to the The Informed Ballot profiles.