Podcast: How an independent US Senate candidate wants to ‘deny the majority’ to get things done
Aug 28, 2026 | 3:45 pm ET
Description
U.S. Senate candidate Brian Bengs speaks to supporters on Nov. 7, 2022, at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls. (Photo by John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)
Brian Bengs is an independent running in the Nov. 3 election against incumbent Republican Mike Rounds for a seat representing South Dakota in the U.S. Senate (there is no Democrat in the race after that party’s nominee withdrew). Bengs, a veteran of the Air Force and Navy who has a law degree and formerly taught at Northern State University in Aberdeen, previously ran in 2022 as a Democrat against Republican Sen. John Thune, who’s now the majority leader.
Bengs joined Searchlight Report host Meghan O’Brien to share what motivated him to join another Senate race, and what it could mean to have an independent representing South Dakota.
Click here to access a transcript for this episode.
Pierre, SD
