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Brian L Bengs

Independent candidate for United States Senator, South Dakota · Challenger

Retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and attorney; former National Park Service ranger at Wind Cave National Park

Brian Bengs is a Hot Springs resident, a Navy veteran and retired Air Force JAG officer who later taught at Northern State University and worked as a park ranger at Wind Cave National Park. He was the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 2022 and lost to John Thune with about 26% of the vote. In April 2025 he announced a 2026 run as an independent, and in April 2026 the Secretary of State certified him for the November ballot with 4,311 valid petition signatures.

Where Bengs stands

Artificial intelligence: Supports halting new AI data center construction until the federal government sets guardrails. Says he will oppose any legislation that does not give local communities a workable way to say no to data centers, and pledges not to accept AI data center money.
National security: Opposes the U.S. war with Iran. Says he would not have voted to enter it, would not vote to continue it, and that its objectives were never clearly defined because Congress did not do its job.
Border security and immigration: Proposes an immigration overhaul that pairs border security with more legal immigration, which he calls crucial to economic growth. Supports birthright citizenship and opposes ending it by executive order.
Gun rights: Describes himself as a gun owner who supports the right to bear arms for self-defense and favors what he calls reasonable gun safety measures.
Abortion: Says he respects a woman's right to choose and supports abortion restrictions after viability, with exceptions for the life or health of the mother.
Taxes: Proposes to 'unrig the tax code' so the wealthiest pay what he calls their fair share. Also supports balancing the federal budget and paying down the national debt.
Campaign finance: Supports a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and limit unlimited corporate and super PAC political spending.
Term limits: Supports a constitutional amendment limiting senators to two terms and House members to six terms. Pledges to serve no more than two terms himself.
Party caucus: Has pledged not to caucus with either party if elected.

Background

Independent candidate for U.S. Senate, South Dakota, 2026 (announced April 2025; certified for the ballot April 2026)
Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, South Dakota, 2022 (lost to John Thune, about 26%)
Has not held elected office
Enlisted service, U.S. Navy
U.S. Air Force JAG officer; chief of general law/assistant general counsel; retired as lieutenant colonel
Assistant professor of criminal justice, Northern State University
Park ranger, Wind Cave National Park
B.A., history and international studies, Iowa State University (1994)
J.D., University of Iowa (1996)
M.A., history, Louisiana Tech University (2007)
LL.M., international and comparative law, George Washington University (2007)

In the news

Brian Bengs: We must stop unchecked development of AI and data centers Aberdeen Insider, October 18, 2026
Challenger takes aim at incumbent's campaign finances in South Dakota US Senate race South Dakota Searchlight, October 16, 2026
Independent US Senate candidates from Plains states say they would not caucus with either party South Dakota Searchlight, October 12, 2026
Bengs challenges Rounds to public debate before Election Day KOTA Territory News, October 9, 2026
Independent Senate candidates call out 'reckless' Congress for not passing AI guardrails NBC News (Meet the Press NOW), September 24, 2026

Also running for United States Senator

Mike Rounds Republican

Sources

Last researched October 23, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.