U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds is officially running for reelection in 2026.
The longtime U.S. Senator was expected to run to retain his seat but did not formally declare until Thursday.
In a new campaign video, Rounds cited “tax cuts that put more money back in your pocket, stronger border security, protecting the sanctity of human life, standing up for South Dakota farmers and ranchers, and keeping America strong by following President Reagan’s principle of peace through strength” among his accomplishments in Washington.
During an interview on SDPB's In the Moment with Lori Walsh, Rounds said one of his key visions for the future of South Dakota is finding ways to keep more young people in the state.
"That means we've got to be doing things to grow the economy here in the state, provide that good educational opportunity — which means the institutions have got to be strong," Rounds said. "At the same time, we've got opportunities for South Dakota to grow and prosper in regards to energy, in regards to artificial intelligence. Our ag sector has real opportunities, if we can stay strong."
Rounds has long been a key figure in South Dakota politics. Rounds was sworn into the U.S. Senate in 2015 and was reelected in 2020, winning both races by 20 percentage points. He previously served as the 31st governor of South Dakota from 2003 to 2011. He was elected five times to the South Dakota state Senate during the 1990s.
In the U.S. Senate, Rounds serves on the following committees: Senate Appropriations, Armed Services, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Indian Affairs, and Select Committee on Intelligence.
Rounds faces a challenger in the Republican primary in Justin McNeal, a Rapid City businessman. Sioux Falls Democrat Julian Beaudion has also announced plans to run for Senate, as has Hot Springs Independent Brian Bengs.
The South Dakota primary election is June 2. The general election is Nov. 3.
