2026 United States Senate election in South Dakota
November 3, 2026
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| Elections in South Dakota |
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The 2026 United States Senate election in South Dakota will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of South Dakota. Primary elections will be held on June 2, 2026, with a runoff election held on July 28 if no candidate receives at least 35% of the vote in their respective primaries. Two-term Republican Mike Rounds was re-elected in 2020 with 65.8% of the vote and has not stated whether he will run for re-election.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Justin McNeal, Navy veteran and businessman[1]
Filed paperwork
- Mike Rounds, incumbent U.S. senator (2015–present) (decision expected in January 2026)[2][3]
Endorsements
Mike Rounds (not declared)
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[4]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Mike Rounds (R) | $2,792,218 | $1,656,323 | $2,818,417 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[5] | |||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Julian Beaudion, former South Dakota state trooper, activist, and businessman[6]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Julian Beaudion (D) | $146,311 | $114,730 | $31,081 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[5] | |||
Independents
Candidates
Declared
- Brian Bengs, U.S. Navy and Air Force veteran, former Northern State University political science professor, and Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 2022[7]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Brain Bengs (I) | $154,886 | $125,175 | $29,710 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[5] | |||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[8] | Solid R | August 12, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[9] | Solid R | October 14, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[10] | Safe R | August 12, 2025 |
| Race To The WH[11] | Safe R | September 4, 2025 |
Polling
Mike Rounds vs. Julian Beaudion
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Mike Rounds (R) |
Julian Beaudion (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[12][A] | November 13–14, 2025 | 814 (RV) | ± 3.3% | 52% | 30% | 18% |
Mike Rounds vs. Brian Bengs
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Mike Rounds (R) |
Brian Bengs (I) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling (D)[13][A] | November 13–14, 2025 | 814 (RV) | ± 3.3% | 44% | 31% | 25% |
| Public Policy Polling (D)[14][A] | July 30–31, 2025 | 524 (LV) | ± 4.1% | 41% | 28% | 31% |
Notes
References
- ^ "Campaign roundup: Republican announces for US Senate, other races grow, polls and money info emerge". South Dakota Searchlight. November 1, 2025. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
- ^ Sivak, David (December 2, 2025). "Mike Rounds planning post-holiday reelection announcement". Washington Examiner. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
- ^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1482809". docquery.fec.gov. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
- ^ Dakota War College (July 21, 2025). "After GOP pokes at him on Facebook, President Trump has high and undenaible praise for Senator Rounds". Dakota War College. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
- ^ a b c "2026 Election United States Senate - South Dakota". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
- ^ Dausch, Dominik (April 10, 2025). "Democrat Julian Beaudion announces US Senate run for Republican Mike Rounds' seat in 2026". Argus Leader. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ Dausch, Dominik (April 30, 2025). "Former Democrat Brian Bengs launches independent bid for Mike Rounds' Senate seat in 2026". Argus Leader. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ "Hotline's Wake-Up Call!". National Journal. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ "Hotline's Wake-Up Call!". National Journal. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ Nicholas Anastácio [@NenoNicolosio] (October 30, 2025). "A little ol' #SDSEN poll from @njhotline: A Public Policy Polling survey conducted for 2022 nominee Brian Bengs (I) found Sen. Mike Rounds (R) ahead of him in a head-to-head race Rounds 41% Bengs 28% Undecided 31% July 30-31; 552 LVs; +/-4.1%" (Tweet). Retrieved December 4, 2025 – via Twitter.
External links
- Official campaign websites