2026 United States Senate election in South Dakota
November 3, 2026
| |||||||
| |||||||
| |||||||
| Elections in South Dakota |
|---|
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 65.7% of the vote and is running for re-election to a third term. South Dakota has been represented in the U.S. Senate exclusively by Republicans since 2015.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Justin McNeal, Navy veteran and businessman[1]
- Mike Rounds, incumbent U.S. senator (2015–present)[2]
Potential
- Kristi Noem, U.S. secretary of homeland security (2025–2026)[3]
Endorsements
Mike Rounds
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[4]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Justin McNeal (R) | $130 | $5 | $125 |
| Mike Rounds (R) | $3,188,339 | $1,975,401 | $2,895,460 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[5] | |||
Polling
Hypothetical polling
Mike Rounds vs. Kristi Noem
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Mike Rounds |
Kristi Noem |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaplan Strategies[6] | June 2023 | 500 (RV) | – | 26% | 53% | 21% |
Kristi Noem vs. Dusty Johnson
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Kristi Noem |
Dusty Johnson |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaplan Strategies[6] | June 2023 | 500 (RV) | – | 54% | 23% | 23% |
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Julian Beaudion, former South Dakota state trooper, activist, and businessman[7]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Julian Beaudion (D) | $179,539 | $153,834 | $25,205 |
| 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[8]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Brain Bengs (I) | $329,131 | $284,587 | $44,544 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[5] | |||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[9] | Solid R | August 12, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[10] | Solid R | October 14, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[11] | Safe R | August 12, 2025 |
| Race To The WH[12] | 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)[13][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.
- ^ Walsh, Lori; Chilson, Josh (January 22, 2026). "Rounds announces U.S. Senate reelection bid". SDPB. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Scherer, Michael (February 19, 2026). "The Buzz in Kristi Noem's Home State". The Atlantic. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Sneve, Joe (June 13, 2023). "Pollster says Noem strongest GOP official in South Dakota. But where's Marty Jackley?". The Dakota Scout. Retrieved December 24, 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.
- ^ a b "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 X (formerly Twitter).
External links
- Official campaign websites