Mike Rounds Advances in South Dakota GOP Senate Primary
Senator Mike Rounds is set to progress to the general election for his U.S. Senate seat in South Dakota, having won the GOP primary against Navy veteran Justin McNeal.
On Tuesday, the race was called in Rounds’ favor by the Associated Press, with 99% of the votes counted. Rounds secured 101,470 votes, which translates to about 75.8%, while McNeal garnered 24.2%.
Rounds, who is 71 years old, first took his Senate seat in 2015 after previously serving as South Dakota’s governor from 2003 to 2011. He is active on five committees: Armed Services, Appropriations, Banking, Indian Affairs, and the Select Committee on Intelligence.
Born and raised in South Dakota, Rounds is the eldest of 11 siblings. Before jumping into politics, he was the CEO of a real estate and insurance firm, which expanded significantly across the state. He also spent five terms in the South Dakota state Senate, concluding his tenure as majority leader.
His campaign highlights achievements during his time in office, including economic growth and increased scholarship opportunities, alongside boosts in tourism and research.
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Rounds, who aligns with many conservative values and military strategies reminiscent of the Reagan era. Trump described Rounds on social media as a patriot focused on advancing the values of South Dakota, supporting farmers and ranchers, and ensuring the dominance of American energy.
In the upcoming November election, Rounds will face Democrat Julian Beaudion, a former South Dakota State Trooper and restaurant owner who ran unopposed in the primary.
South Dakota House Race Update
In another primary election, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley won the GOP nomination for the state’s U.S. House of Representatives seat, defeating Iraq war veteran James Bialota. Jackley received about 79% of the vote and will challenge Democrat nominee Nikki Gronli, a small business owner, in November as incumbent Representative Dusty Johnson steps away from reelection to pursue the gubernatorial race.
