SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Even though Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota has yet to announce he’s running for reelection, President Donald Trump is nevertheless endorsing him.
“Mike is fighting tirelessly to Advance the Great Values of the Mount Rushmore State, Champion our Farmers and Ranchers, Strengthen the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Ensure American Energy DOMINANCE, Help Secure our already Highly Secure Border, Support our Brave Military, Veterans, and Law Enforcement, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump posted on social media.
Rounds thanked Trump on X Monday for the president’s endorsement, posting “I look forward to working with you to make America even better!”
“I appreciate President Trump calling me today to offer his endorsement,” Rounds said in a statement sent to KELOLAND News Monday afternoon. “Together, we’ve delivered real results for South Dakota, and we’re just getting started. While I haven’t officially launched my re-election campaign, you will be hearing from me shortly.”
Democrat Julian Beaudion and independent Brian Bengs have each raised more than $70,000 in the race.
“When President Trump wanted tax cuts for billionaires and corporations, Mike followed orders,” Bengs said in a statement to KELOLAND News about Trump’s endorsement of Rounds. “When that package required taking health care funding away from South Dakotans, Mike followed orders. When the White House said to ignore the Epstein Files, Mike followed orders. Mike Rounds excels at following orders without question so it’s no surprise the President is rewarding him even as he sells us out. If elected, my bosses will be the regular South Dakotans Mike betrayed and not the White House—whether Democrat or Republican.”
“This endorsement is not shocking but it does show just how out of touch Rounds and Trump are with South Dakotans,” Beaudion said in a statement to KELOLAND News about the presidential endorsement. “They want to pull money from our schools, silence South Dakota Public Broadcasting, and slash the budgets that keep our communities safe. That puts politics first and our state last. South Dakota needs a leader who backs words with action. I served as a State Trooper, built a family business, and worked with nonprofits across our state. I will always put South Dakota first.”
Come 2026, the primary election is scheduled for June 2 ahead of the general election on Nov. 3.
