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Your South Dakota ballot

LIVE · SD · U.S. SENATECOUNTING
Mike RoundsR
Mike Rounds
60.7%
184,312 votes
Brian BengsI
Brian Bengs
39.3%
119,491 votes
Official counts as reported · South Dakota Secretary of State (unofficial, 668 of 671 precincts)Updated 52h ago
LIVE · SD · GOVERNORCOUNTING
Dan AhlersD
Dan Ahlers
36.3%
110,116 votes
Larry RhodenR
Larry Rhoden
63.7%
193,041 votes
Official counts as reported · South Dakota Secretary of State (unofficial, 668 of 671 precincts)Updated 52h ago
What we compareSources▾
Polls
Senate
Electoral-vote.com, nonpartisan pollsters only. Average of each pollster's latest poll, last 30 days.
Checked hourly · last Nov 6, 8:15 AM ET
Money raised, cash on hand
Senate
FEC filings, 2025–26. Governors report to their state.
Through 10/14/2026 · next Dec 3
Small-donor share
Senate
Donations under $200 (FEC).
Through 10/14/2026
Own money
Senate
Candidate's own contributions and loans (FEC).
Through 10/14/2026
Votes with own party, missed votes, key votes
Members of Congress
Voteview, 119th Congress.
2025–26
Live fact-checks
Everyone
Our live broadcast checks.
Live
In their own words
Everyone
Verbatim quotes from campaign sites.
Checked Oct 26

U.S. Senate

Incumbent: Mike Rounds
RMike Rounds
Republican · incumbent
IBrian Bengs
Independent
Background
Education
South Dakota State University
Bachelor's degree, history and international studies, Iowa State University
J.D., University of Iowa
Master's degree, history, Louisiana Tech University
Master's degree, international and comparative law, George Washington University
Work experience
Campaign sites, official bios, Wikipedia, Ballotpedia
United States senator · 2015–now
Governor of South Dakota · 2003–2011
Member of the State Senate of South Dakota · 1991–2001
Majority leader · 1995–2000
Assistant professor, Northern State University
Chief of general law/assistant general counsel, U.S. Air Force
Air Force attorney; retired lieutenant colonel
U.S. Navy (enlisted)
National park ranger
Money
Raised
FEC · through 10/14/2026
Cash on hand
$1.3M
$70K
From small donors
Under $200
3%
48%
Own money
None
None
Record in Congress
Votes with own party
Party-line votes · Voteview
99%
of 833 Senate votes
Not in the current Congress
Missed votes
0.9%
—
Laken Riley Act
Requires federal detention of immigrants in the country illegally who are charged with theft or violent crimes.
—
HALT Fentanyl Act
Permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs.
—
One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Budget reconciliation law covering taxes, spending, Medicaid and SNAP.
—
GENIUS Act
Sets federal rules for payment stablecoins.
—
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026
Funding bill that ended the fall 2025 government shutdown.
—
Secure America Act
2026 budget reconciliation bill.
—
Issues
Economy and cost of living · South Dakota, last 10 years
Economy, real GDP growth
+1.8%2025
2016BEA ↗2025
Unemployment rate
2.1%2026 so far
2016BLS ↗2026
Rent, yearly change · Midwest region
+4.1%2026 so far
2016BLS CPI ↗2026
Home prices, yearly change
+3.2%2026 so far
2016FHFA ↗2026
What they say
“He believes the United States should maximize the use of its natural resources to lower energy costs, create jobs and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources.”
roundsforsenate.com ↗
“Good policies like fair wages, targeted subsidies, and tax credits make a difference. The goal is to restructure our economic system so it delivers for regular people, too, not just Big Money that has engineered the status quo.”
bengsforsouthdakota.com ↗
Immigration and the border · South Dakota, last 10 years
Net international migration
3.4 per 1,0002025
2016Census ↗2025
What they say
“Mike has consistently supported funding for building the wall, advanced surveillance technology and increased personnel for border enforcement.”
roundsforsenate.com ↗
“To remain globally competitive and keep Social Security strong, effects-based reform must include a strong border security component and increased legal immigration.”
bengsforsouthdakota.com ↗
Taxes and spending · South Dakota, last 10 years
State taxes, share of the economy
3.3%2025
2016Census ↗2025
What they say
“As our U.S. Senator, he is focused on protecting our freedoms, achieving energy independence, cutting red tape and keeping taxes low so the next generation can thrive.”
roundsforsenate.com ↗
“It's long past time for the ultra-rich to pay their fair share once again, like they had to in the 1960s.”
bengsforsouthdakota.com ↗
Abortion
“Mike is pro-life and always defends the rights of the unborn.”
roundsforsenate.com ↗
“As a husband and father of daughters, I respect a woman's right to choose and sup”
bengsforsouthdakota.com ↗

Governor

Open seat
DDan Ahlers
Democratic
RLarry Rhoden
Republican
Background
Education
Bachelor's degree, Government and International Relations, Augustana University
Attended Northwestern Vocational School
Work experience
Campaign sites, official bios, Wikipedia, Ballotpedia
South Dakota House of Representatives, District 25 · 2017–2019
South Dakota State Senate, District 25 · 2009–2011
Small business owner, Dell Rapids
President, Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Governor of South Dakota · 2025–now
Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota · 2019–2025
Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives · 2001–2019
Member of the State Senate of South Dakota · 2009–2015
South Dakota Senate · 2009–2015
United States Army · 1978–1985
Issues
Economy and cost of living · South Dakota, last 10 years
Economy, real GDP growth
+1.8%2025
2016BEA ↗2025
Unemployment rate
2.1%2026 so far
2016BLS ↗2026
Rent, yearly change · Midwest region
+4.1%2026 so far
2016BLS CPI ↗2026
Home prices, yearly change
+3.2%2026 so far
2016FHFA ↗2026
What they say
“Fight for wages that let hardworking South Dakotans get ahead, not just get by.”
danahlers.com ↗
Not on their site
Health care
“Fight to keep rural hospitals open and long-term care facilities thriving.”
danahlers.com ↗
“Delivered $189 million in federal funds to bring more services to rural and remote areas.”
governorlarryrhoden.com ↗
Immigration and the border · South Dakota, last 10 years
Net international migration
3.4 per 1,0002025
2016Census ↗2025
What they say
Not on their site
“Banned sanctuary cities and signed ICE agreements with Highway Patrol and Department of Corrections.”
governorlarryrhoden.com ↗
Taxes and spending · South Dakota, last 10 years
State taxes, share of the economy
3.3%2025
2016Census ↗2025
What they say
Not on their site
“Delivered the largest property tax cut in South Dakota history, reducing property taxes by 25 to 45% depending on county.”
governorlarryrhoden.com ↗
Abortion
Not on their site
“Stopped harmful abortion pills from coming into South Dakota, protecting babies and moms.”
governorlarryrhoden.com ↗
Methodology