South Dakota Senate race sees surge in Republican campaign spending

Republican-aligned spending has increased significantly in the South Dakota Senate race. According to media-buying firm Polaris, spending in support of Republican Senator Mike Rounds totaled nearly $1.2 million between mid-August and early October. A notable surge occurred in late September, when weekly spending for Rounds rose from under $18,000 to over $285,000.

Independent-aligned groups have spent approximately $516,000 in support of independent candidate Brian Bengs. Meanwhile, the South Dakota Conservative PAC spent $590,861 in independent expenditures to oppose Bengs, with a significant portion directed toward broadcast advertisements.

Polling data from Public Policy Polling indicated a close race in early September, with Rounds at 45% and Bengs at 42%, within the margin of error. The campaign environment has been influenced by voter dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s economic policies, specifically regarding the importation of foreign-raised beef, which has been unpopular with local ranchers.