Polling Average
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
31.7%
45.8%
18%
Independent
Brian L. Bengs
Independent candidate for U.S. Senate in South Dakota
$34.3K
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds — South Dakota Senate winner?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
6%chance to win
$34.3KNOV 7, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleU.S. Navy veteran
PartyIndependent
Political ideologyCentrist Independent
GenderMale
LocationSouth Dakota
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BackgroundU.S. Navy veteran
EducationB.A., History, Iowa State University
Notable personal detailsBrian L. Bengs is an independent candidate for U.S. Senate in South Dakota in the November 3, 2026 general election. He previously ran for U.S. Senate in South Dakota in 2022 as the Democratic nominee. He served in the U.S. Navy and later in the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps, retiring as a lieutenant colonel, and has worked as a law professor and political science professor.
SourcesShowHide
bengsforsouthdakota.comsdsos.govballotready.orgfec.goven.wikipedia.orgdrgnews.comscribd.comdocquery.fec.govopencampaign.comkotatv.comthedakotascout.comprojects.propublica.orgdakotafreepress.combrianmcginnis.orgde.wikipedia.orgarxiv.orgsdcfr.sdsos.govreddit.combellefourchebeacon.comdakotanewsnow.comlenspoliticalnotes.comsubstack.comsistersunitedsd.comsdpb.orgontheissues.orgyahoo.combengsforsouthdakota.substack.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgnytimes.comsdstandardnow.comballotpedia.orgpolitico.comrollcall.comfacebook.cominstagram.comvotesmart.orgstatic.votesmart.orgclerk.house.govcongress.govhistory.house.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports reforming the tax code to make the ultra‑rich pay more and to reduce tax burdens on working people and small businesses; proposes eliminating federal income taxes for the working and middle classes while raising revenue from top earners and other sources and has expressed interest in value‑added tax as a revenue option. Also emphasizes balancing the federal budget and paying down the national debt.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access and affordability through measures such as a public option and extension of ACA subsidies, opposes privatizing Medicare/VA benefits, and proposes regulatory reforms to limit excessive healthcare profits.
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Immigration & Border
Supports increasing legal immigration for economic growth and strengthening border security as part of an effects-based immigration overhaul. Advocates a combination of expanded legal pathways and a strong border-security component rather than purely enforcement-only measures.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports the Roe v. Wade standards and the codification of those standards into federal law, endorses access to abortion through the period of viability and opposes a federal 15-week ban.
Climate & Energy
Supports pursuing energy independence through expanded clean energy development and frames climate/energy as a national security issue; supports the ethanol industry while opposing use of eminent domain to force private landowners to host carbon pipeline projects.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate is a gun owner who supports the right to bear arms while endorsing reasonable gun safety measures, including expanded/common-sense background checks and restrictions on access for certain people. He resists broad bans on specific weapons but favors steps to make firearm purchases less easy for those likely to misuse them.
Latest Polls
South Dakota Senate winner?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Brian L. Bengs currently averages 31.7%, ranking second in this race, 14.2 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 31.7%Position: secondMargin: -14.2 ptsLatest poll: 33.0% (Jul 6 - 9)Polls included: 6
Average recalculated from polls through Jul 6 - 9.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2024Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$498.0K
$373.5K
$249.0K
$124.5K
$0
2022
2024
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$498.0K
$5.7K
$492.3K
$20.5K
Cycle 2024
$2.8K
$0.00
$8.5K
$2.8K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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