Independent candidate for US Senate Brian Bengs qualifies for November ballot

South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson has confirmed the race for South Dakota’s US Senate seat will be a three man race with Independent Brian Bengs getting on the ballot. As an independent Bengs required 3,502 valid signature to get on the ballot. Based on a random sample 4,311 of his signatures were deemed valid or 93.85 percent. Bengs is a former Aberdeen resident who unsuccessfully ran for US Senate against John Thune in 2024. Bengs will square off with Democrat Julian Beaudion, and the winner of the Republican primary. The Republican primary is between incumbent US Senator Mike Rounds and challenger Justin McNeal of Raid City.