Dem drops US Senate bid, leaving independent candidate as lone challenger to incumbent GOP Sen Mike Rounds

Julian Beaudion, the Democratic candidate who was challenging Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, announced that he is dropping his election bid, a move that leaves independent candidate Brian Bengs going head-to-head against the incumbent lawmaker.

"As many of you know, we experienced a devastating house fire while continuing to navigate significant personal financial hardship," Beaudion explained in part of a lengthy statement issued on Tuesday. "Through it all, my wife, Inkka, and our daughters have shown incredible strength. They have sacrificed more than anyone should ever be asked to sacrifice for a campaign. Today, my first responsibility is to them."

"After the fire, an opponent and those associated with the opponent, hit my family and I with intimidating threats to drop out of this race. Those attacks were personal and never about politics. The mental and physical safety of my family is my priority and for this reason alone, I step aside. This is a time for my family to heal and for South Dakota voters to choose a Senator. Not a time for me to talk of specific threats and attacks. But rest assured that time will come," he said in the statement

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Beaudion said he will not back either of the remaining candidates in the contest.

"Let me be clear, I will not be endorsing or supporting Brian Bengs in this race," he noted. "Likewise, I cannot support Senator Mike Rounds."

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Bengs, who ran for U.S. Senate as a Democrat in 2022 but lost to GOP Sen. John Thune, said in a post on X, "I commend Julian Beaudion’s patriotic decision to make this a two-person race and put South Dakota first. Now South Dakotans who want to vote against Washington's cost-raising agenda and corruption can come together regardless of party. Let’s look forward to November and retiring Big Money Mike Rounds."

South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Shane Merrill said in a statement, "Julian would have made an outstanding US Senator for South Dakota."

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"Every city, town, and reservation he's visited, people truly felt like they were being heard. Julian is the kind of leader we need in Congress. He is fair, understanding and open minded. That is why he would have won in November. While I am saddened that he is leaving the race, I respect his decision to focus on his family. Thank you Julian for your dedication to the people of South Dakota," Merrill noted.