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I Independent · U.S. Senate, South Dakota · Nov 3, 2026

Brian
L. Bengs

Independent U.S. Senate candidate in South Dakota challenging Republican incumbent Mike Rounds in 2026

Researched checked 7 d ago
sources
21
positions
10
endorsements
2
bengsforsouthdakota.substack.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Mike Rounds R Compare race →

Background

Brian L. Bengs is an independent candidate for U.S. Senate in South Dakota in the November 2026 general election, challenging Republican incumbent Sen. Mike Rounds. He grew up in a small town in northwest Iowa, moved to South Dakota in 2016, and lives in Hot Springs. 346

Bengs served in the U.S. Navy after high school and later in the Air Force JAG Corps, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He subsequently worked as a law professor and as a ranger at Wind Cave National Park. He holds a bachelor's degree in history from Iowa State University, a law degree from the University of Iowa, a master's degree in history from Louisiana Tech, and an LL.M. in international law from George Washington University. 3410

Bengs was the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in South Dakota in 2022 but has since left the party, running as an independent in 2026. He has described his strategy as "denying the majority" in the Senate to gain leverage for South Dakota. 239

He has no prior elected office; the FEC classifies his 2026 candidacy as a challenger. His campaign has attracted national attention as part of a broader wave of independent Senate candidates in the 2026 cycle. 51113

At a glance

Party
Independent
Running for
U.S. Senate, South Dakota
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Website
bengsforsouthdakota.substack.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 9
    controversy
    Bengs demands TV stations pull ads he says falsely portray him as a Democrat

    Bengs demanded that television stations stop airing ads attributed to South Dakota Conservative PAC that he said improperly portrayed him as a Democrat and violated FCC rules. The PAC defended the ads as legitimate political advertising. No regulatory ruling was reported.

    Independent candidate says ad linking him to Democrats ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 9
    debate
    Bengs challenges Rounds to a public town-hall debate before Election Day

    Bengs challenged Rounds to a public town-hall debate, saying he would participate in any South Dakota community and take questions from the public. KOTA reported that Rounds had declined invitations from South Dakota Public Broadcasting and KELOLAND, according to Bengs' campaign. No new debate was confirmed as scheduled.

    Bengs challenges Rounds to public debate before Election ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 9
    news
    Gateway Pundit publishes exclusive interview with Bengs; he compares himself to Theodore Roosevelt

    In an exclusive interview with The Gateway Pundit, independent Senate candidate Brian Bengs compared himself to President Theodore Roosevelt, making the case for his independent candidacy against Republican Sen. Mike Rounds.

    EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW – ‘Independent’ Hopeful Brian Bengs Compares Himself To President Theodore Roosevelt * The Gateway Pundit * by Myles Morell · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 7
    news
    Bengs posts 'There's Four Weeks Left' campaign update ahead of November 3 election

    Bengs published a campaign Substack post marking four weeks remaining before the November 3 election, continuing his appeal for support as an independent challenger to Sen. Mike Rounds.

    There's Four Weeks Left - Brian Bengs · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 4
    poll
    Bengs cites Lake Research Partners poll showing him at 51%, Rounds at 42%

    In a campaign Substack post, Bengs cited a Lake Research Partners poll of 500 likely voters claiming it showed him at 51% to Rounds' 42%, with 7% undecided. He noted an initial ballot question had him six points behind, but a follow-up question produced a 50–50 result. This is a campaign statement about polling.

    The Times They Are A-Changin' - Brian Bengs · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 30
    news
    SDPB analysis says Bengs 'stumbled' in recent campaign period

    South Dakota Public Broadcasting published an analysis stating that Bengs had stumbled during the recent campaign period, while also noting surprises from other candidates in statewide races.

    Analysis: Bengs stumbles, Monae Johnson surprises ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 30
    poll
    Bengs posts that four recent polls show him 'either tied or just behind' Rounds

    In a campaign Substack post, Bengs said four polls from the prior month showed a close race, claiming he was 'either tied or just behind.' He did not publish full results or methodology. He also said more than $1 million had been spent on the race and solicited donations.

    The Polling Shows That We Can Win This Race! - Brian Bengs · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 27
    poll
    Zenith Research poll (field dates Sept. 24–27) shows Rounds 44%, Bengs 38%

    A Zenith Research poll described as campaign-commissioned, with field dates of September 24–27 and a sample of 500 likely voters, found Rounds at 44% and Bengs at 38%, with the remainder undecided.

    Latest polls involving the U.S. Senate race · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sep 25
    endorsement
    Change Agents of South Dakota endorsement of Bengs re-listed in published endorsements

    The South Dakota Standard published Change Agents of South Dakota's endorsements, again listing Bengs as their endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate.

    Change Agents of South Dakota endorsements for the coming election — The South Dakota Standard · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Sep 24
    news
    Bengs joins Osborn and Hill at Capitol press conference calling for AI and data-center safeguards

    Bengs appeared alongside independent Senate candidates Dan Osborn (NE) and Bill Hill at a Capitol news conference, calling on Congress to pass AI and data-center safeguards. Bengs said Congress must address data centers' demands on water, electricity, and taxpayers.

    Independent Senate candidates call out 'reckless' Congress for not ... · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  11. Sep 22
    news
    Dakota News Now publishes 'Inside the Race' feature on Brian Bengs

    Dakota News Now aired an 'Inside the Race' segment profiling independent Senate candidate Brian Bengs ahead of the November 3 general election.

    Inside the Race: Brian Bengs · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  12. Sep 22
    news
    KELOLAND publishes separate conversations with Bengs and Rounds on key issues

    Bengs discussed supporting a moratorium on data centers, federal AI guardrails, term limits, and ending the conflict in Iran. He also said he wanted to establish an independent caucus if elected. These are his stated positions.

    READ: A conversation with U.S. Senate candidates Bengs, Rounds · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  13. Sep 15
    news
    Argus Leader reports Bengs raised $782,000 vs. Rounds' $4.5 million per FEC filings

    Based on the latest FEC filings available at the time, Bengs' campaign had raised $782,000, primarily from individual contributions, while incumbent Sen. Mike Rounds had raised $4.5 million, primarily from PAC contributions.

    Bengs says he'll be South Dakota's 1st independent in D.C. · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  14. Aug 20
    endorsement
    Change Agents of South Dakota endorses Bengs for U.S. Senate

    Change Agents of South Dakota, an advocacy group that interviewed candidates, endorsed Brian Bengs for the South Dakota U.S. Senate seat. The group is not affiliated with the state Democratic Party.

    Change Agents of South Dakota endorsements for the coming election — The South Dakota Standard · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  15. Aug 4
    news
    Democratic nominee Beaudion withdraws, leaving Bengs and Rounds as major candidates

    Julian Beaudion, the Democratic nominee, withdrew citing personal and family circumstances and threats. He did not endorse either remaining candidate. The state Democratic Party declined to replace him or formally endorse Bengs, leaving independent Brian Bengs and Republican Sen. Mike Rounds as the major candidates.

    Independent candidates could swing the Senate. What ... - Vox · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Change Agents of South Dakota organization
    The group's founding member Rick Knobe wrote: 'We are endorsing Brian Bengs for U.S. Senate.' sdstandardnow.com · Aug 20, 2026
  • Forward Party organization
    The Forward Party announced its endorsement of four independent Senate candidates and listed Bengs among its first U.S. Senate endorsements of 2026. forwardparty.com · Jun 18, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$782K
Spent
$731K
Cash on hand
$51K

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6SD01117(opens in a new tab)

Sources 21

  1. [1] Brian Bengs: “The court got it wrong. The Roe standards were right ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  2. [2] Bengs challenges Rounds to public debate before Election ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  3. [3] EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW – ‘Independent’ Hopeful Brian Bengs Compares Himself To President Theodore Roosevelt * The Gateway Pundit * by Myles Morell(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  4. [4] Independent candidate says ad linking him to Democrats ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  5. [5] There's Four Weeks Left - Brian Bengs(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  6. [6] Latest polls involving the U.S. Senate race(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  7. [7] The Times They Are A-Changin' - Brian Bengs(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  8. [8] Independent candidates could swing the Senate. What ... - Vox(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  9. [9] Analysis: Bengs stumbles, Monae Johnson surprises ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  10. [10] The Polling Shows That We Can Win This Race! - Brian Bengs(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  11. [11] Change Agents of South Dakota endorsements for the coming election — The South Dakota Standard(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  12. [12] Independent Senate candidates call out 'reckless' Congress for not ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
  13. [13] Inside the Race: Brian Bengs(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  14. [14] READ: A conversation with U.S. Senate candidates Bengs, Rounds(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  15. [15] Bengs says he'll be South Dakota's 1st independent in D.C.(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
  16. [16] Exclusive: Navy Veteran, JAG Attorney Brian Bengs Running on 'Cowboy Code' as Independent US Senate Candidate in South Dakota(opens in a new tab) Sep 10, 2026
  17. [17] Change Agents of South Dakota endorses Brian Bengs for senate — The South Dakota Standard(opens in a new tab) Aug 20, 2026
  18. [18] Forward Party endorses first slate of Senate candidates for ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 18, 2026
  19. [19] Who is Paying the Bill for the Iran Disaster? - Brian Bengs - Substack(opens in a new tab) Mar 9, 2026
  20. [20] Handshake With South Dakotans(opens in a new tab) Oct 22, 2025
  21. [21] Brian Bengs For U.S. Senate – South Dakota(opens in a new tab) Feb 14, 2022
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