Wisevoter
South Dakota

Brian Bengs Holds South Dakota Senate Town Halls

The independent U.S. Senate candidate met with voters in Yankton and Vermillion.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a flag on a pole, evoking the political landscape of a U.S. Senate race.
Independent candidate Brian Bengs continues his South Dakota U.S. Senate campaign with town hall meetings in Yankton and Vermillion. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support the inclusion of independent candidates in federal senate races?

Independent U.S. Senate candidate Brian Bengs held campaign town-hall meetings in Yankton and Vermillion this week. Bengs is running against Republican incumbent Mike Rounds in the upcoming election.

Why it matters

The race enters its final stages following the August withdrawal of candidate Julian Beaudion. With no Democratic challenger appearing on the ballot to replace Beaudion, the contest is now a two-way race between Bengs and Rounds.

The Senate race will be decided on November 3, 2026. This follows the August withdrawal of Julian Beaudion, leaving no Democratic candidate on the ballot.

The players

Brian Bengs

Brian Bengs is an independent candidate seeking election to the U.S. Senate in South Dakota.

Mike Rounds

Mike Rounds is the Republican incumbent currently holding the U.S. Senate seat up for election.

Julian Beaudion

Julian Beaudion was a candidate in the U.S. Senate race before withdrawing from the campaign in August.

The details

Bengs hosted discussions at the Yankton Community Library and the XIX Brewing Company in Vermillion to engage with constituents. These events occur as candidates make their final push to communicate their platforms to South Dakota voters before election day.

Timeline

  1. August 2026: Julian Beaudion withdrew from the U.S. Senate race.

  2. October 26, 2026: Brian Bengs held town-hall meetings in Yankton and Vermillion.

  3. November 3, 2026: General election day.

Political Context

The race adheres to South Dakota ballot access laws, which govern how candidate vacancies are handled after the primary. This contest reflects a narrowing of the field following a withdrawal, limiting voters to a choice between the Republican incumbent and an independent challenger.

South Dakota voters will finalize their choice for the U.S. Senate seat on November 3. The absence of a Democratic candidate on the ballot changes the dynamics of the race for all participating residents.

The takeaway

Voters in South Dakota face a simplified choice for the U.S. Senate seat this November. Residents should review candidate platforms in anticipation of the upcoming election day.

What happens next

The general election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026.

Further reading

For more information on the upcoming state and federal races, visit the South Dakota elections page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Yankton Press & Dakotan.

Live Poll

Do you support the inclusion of independent candidates in federal senate races?