- See Mike Rounds's sponsored bills →Mike RoundsRepublicanIncumbent✓ Verified$3.7M raised
- Brian BengsIndependent✓ Verified$1.7M raised
Where they stand
Sources under every entry. Sentences are AI-written from the linked source.
Where they differ: Brian Bengs supports lowering taxes for small businesses and working people while ensuring the ultra-rich pay their fair share, and he pledges to oppose AI-data center developments that harm local communities, supporting community rights to say no to such projects 14. Mike Rounds supports creating jobs and keeping taxes low to strengthen South Dakota's economy, and he advocates for American energy independence with an all-of-the-above approach, opposing excessive federal regulations and supporting domestic energy development 211.
AI-written comparison of the sourced entries below. Generated Oct 17, 2026.
| Issue | Mike RoundsRepublican | Brian BengsIndependent |
|---|---|---|
| Economy & Jobs | Rounds supports creating jobs, fostering a friendly business environment, cutting bureaucratic red tape, investing in children, and keeping taxes low to strengthen South Dakota's economy. Rounds votes yea on disapproving financial regulations from the Treasury and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in votes 14887, 14803, and 14758. | Bengs supports lowering taxes for small businesses and working people while ensuring the ultra-rich pay their fair share to help everyday Americans afford a better lifestyle. |
| Where they differ on Economy & Jobs: Brian Bengs supports lowering taxes for small businesses and working people while ensuring the ultra-rich pay their fair share to help everyday Americans afford a better lifestyle 1. Mike Rounds supports creating jobs, fostering a friendly business environment, cutting bureaucratic red tape, investing in children, and keeping taxes low to strengthen South Dakota's economy 2. He voted yea on disapproving financial regulations from the Treasury and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in votes 14887, 14803, and 14758 3. | ||
| Healthcare | No public position found. Check their site ↗ | No public position found. Check their site ↗ |
| Immigration | Rounds supports border security as essential to national security and funding for building the wall, advanced surveillance, and increased personnel to stop illegal drugs and human trafficking. Rounds votes yea on the Laken Riley Act in vote 14659. | No public position found. Check their site ↗ |
| Public Safety & Crime | Rounds is committed to protecting law and order and supports measures to enhance border security to reduce crime and trafficking. Rounds votes yea on the HALT Fentanyl Act in vote 14779. | Bengs pledges to oppose AI-data center developments that harm local communities and supports giving communities the right to say no to such projects. |
| Where they differ on Public Safety & Crime: Brian Bengs pledges to oppose AI-data center developments that harm local communities and supports giving communities the right to say no to such projects 1. Mike Rounds is committed to protecting law and order and supports measures to enhance border security to reduce crime and trafficking 2. He also voted yea on the HALT Fentanyl Act in vote 14779 3. | ||
| Abortion | Rounds is pro-life and signed a trigger law as governor that prohibits abortion in South Dakota except when the mother’s life is at risk. | No public position found. Check their site ↗ |
| Taxes & Government Spending | Rounds supports keeping taxes low and living within means to ensure economic growth and opportunity for future generations. Rounds votes yea on multiple appropriations and budget-related bills in votes 14004, 341, 251, 165, 15259 and nay on S. 2882 in vote 15178. | Bengs supports taxing the ultra-rich fairly again and balancing the federal budget to pay down the national debt while lowering taxes for small businesses and workers. |
| Where they differ on Taxes & Government Spending: Brian Bengs supports taxing the ultra-rich fairly again and balancing the federal budget to pay down the national debt while lowering taxes for small businesses and workers 1. Mike Rounds supports keeping taxes low and living within means to ensure economic growth and opportunity for future generations 2. He voted yea on multiple appropriations and budget-related bills in votes 14004, 341, 251, 165, 15259 and nay on S. 2882 in vote 15178 3. | ||
| Energy & Environment | Rounds advocates for American energy independence with an all-of-the-above approach, opposing excessive federal regulations and supporting domestic energy development. Rounds votes yea on several joint resolutions disapproving Bureau of Land Management rules in votes 320, 15273, 15264, 126, 15202, and 15198. | Bengs supports halting construction of new AI-data centers until communities understand and can prevent their impacts, emphasizing environmental protection and community rights. |
| Where they differ on Energy & Environment: Brian Bengs supports halting construction of new AI-data centers until communities understand and can prevent their impacts, emphasizing environmental protection and community rights 1. Mike Rounds advocates for American energy independence with an all-of-the-above approach, opposing excessive federal regulations and supporting domestic energy development 2. He voted yea on several joint resolutions disapproving Bureau of Land Management rules in votes 320, 15273, 15264, 126, 15202, and 15198 3. | ||
| Foreign Policy & Defense | Rounds works on the Senate Armed Services Committee to maintain the military as the best in the world and is recognized for his effectiveness on national security issues. Rounds votes nay on resolutions to remove US forces from Iran and to terminate national emergency tariffs, and yea on the SEED Act in votes 19235, 13960, 15241, 15240, 15236, and 14000. | Bengs opposes continued U.S. involvement in the Iran war, criticizing career politicians for prolonging the conflict and pledging accountability for military engagements. |
| Where they differ on Foreign Policy & Defense: Brian Bengs opposes continued U.S. involvement in the Iran war, criticizing career politicians for prolonging the conflict and pledging accountability for military engagements 1. Mike Rounds works on the Senate Armed Services Committee to maintain the military as the best in the world and is recognized for his effectiveness on national security issues 2. He voted nay on resolutions to remove US forces from Iran and to terminate national emergency tariffs, and yea on the SEED Act in votes 19235, 13960, 15241, 15240, 15236, and 14000 3. | ||