South Dakota Senate Election 2026: Live Results
The South Dakota Senate Election 2026 is on November 3, 2026. Brian Bengs (independent) faces Republican Mike Rounds (incumbent). The seat is currently held by Republicans. VoteTide rates the race Safe R. Prediction markets give Mike Rounds a 94% chance of winning. The last polls in South Dakota close at 9 p.m. Eastern.
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Updated Tue, 03 Nov 2026 15:36:21 GMT
Results
No votes have been reported yet. Polls close at 9 p.m. Eastern.
Candidates
- Brian Bengs (Independent, backed by Democrats)
- Mike Rounds (Republican, incumbent)
Odds
- Kalshi: Democrat 6%, Republican 94%
- Polymarket: Democrat 6%, Republican 94%
Rating: Safe R
What's at stake
For the country
- This seat is held by Republicans. A Democratic win would be a flip, one of the 4 net gains Democrats need to reach 51 seats and take control.
- A Republican hold keeps it in the column that protects the current 53-seat majority.
- Senate control decides which judges and cabinet nominees are confirmed and whether the President's bills can pass.
For South Dakota
- Senators vote on every federal law, confirm Supreme Court justices, federal judges and cabinet members, and ratify treaties. Terms last six years.
- Mike Rounds is the incumbent. Incumbents bring seniority, name recognition and committee roles; challengers argue for a fresh start.
Brian Bengs
- Brian Bengs runs as an independent and is not bound to either party's platform; Democrats are backing the campaign.
Mike Rounds
- Supporters say a Republican senator would keep taxes low and protect recent tax cuts.
- They argue for tighter border security and stricter immigration enforcement.
- They favour expanding domestic energy production and cutting federal regulation.
Arguments are summarised at party level from each side's stated priorities, not quotes from the candidates.
Frequently asked questions
Who is running in the South Dakota Senate Election 2026?
Brian Bengs (I), Mike Rounds (R, incumbent).
Who is favored to win the South Dakota senate race?
Prediction markets give Mike Rounds a 94% chance. VoteTide's rating is Safe R.
When do polls close in South Dakota?
On November 3, 2026, the last polls in South Dakota close at 9 p.m. Eastern. The first results usually appear within an hour.
Where do these South Dakota results come from?
Vote counts come from official election sources as they are published (and from the AP when configured). Odds come from Kalshi and Polymarket, and polls from public polling tables. The page refreshes every minute.
South Dakota at a glance
- 2024 presidential result: Trump +29.2
- Electoral votes: 3
- U.S. House seats: 1