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South Dakota Democratic Nominee Exits Senate Race, Bolstering Independent Rival
Beaudion said he and his family faced intimidating threats and would not endorse either candidate, leaving Brian Bengs to challenge Mike Rounds.
- On Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, South Dakota Democratic Senate nominee Julian Beaudion suspended his campaign, clearing the way for independent Brian Bengs to face Republican Senator Mike Rounds one-on-one.
- Beaudion cited "intimidating threats to drop out of this race" and personal financial hardships, recently exacerbated by a house fire, as reasons for his departure in a statement posted Tuesday.
- Prominent Democrats including Steve Jarding, former executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, urged Beaudion to withdraw to consolidate support behind Bengs, arguing the Democratic brand in South Dakota is too damaged.
- Campaign advisor Rob Skjonsberg said the Democrats "traded down for a socialist" with Bengs, while Senator Rounds maintains a significant financial advantage with $3.9 million on hand.
- The Democratic Party Central Committee faces a Tuesday, Aug. 11, deadline to nominate a replacement candidate, though Beaudion stated he will not endorse either Bengs or Rounds.
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16 Articles
16 Articles
Dem drops US Senate bid, leaving independent candidate as lone challenger to incumbent GOP Sen Mike Rounds
Democratic candidate Julian Beaudion dropped out of the South Dakota U.S. Senate race, leaving an independent candidate as the lone candidate challenging Republican Sen. Mike Rounds.
·New York, United States
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South Dakota Democratic nominee exits Senate race, bolstering independent rival
The Democratic Senate nominee in South Dakota ended his campaign Tuesday following calls from party activists to exit the race and leave independent Brian Bengs as the main competitor against Republican Sen. Mike Rounds. Julian Beaudion, a former state trooper, cited “extraordinary personal challenges,” including a house fire, financial struggles and “intimidating threats to drop […]
·Washington, United States
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South Dakota Democrat exits Senate race, clears way for independent
·Arlington County, United States
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Total News Sources16
Leaning Left4Leaning Right3Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 31%
C 46%
R 23%
Factuality
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