Brian L Bengs
What this job does: One of South Dakota's two votes in the U.S. Senate. Senators write and vote on federal laws, taxes and spending, and approve or reject the president's picks for federal judges, the Supreme Court and the Cabinet. A term is six years.
- Occupation
- Retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, attorney and former college professor
- Lives in
- Hot Springs
Background
- Retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and judge advocate (JAG) officer; also an enlisted U.S. Navy veteran and an attorney. source: sdstandardnow.com
- Former criminal justice professor at Northern State University; taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy and other institutions; worked as a Wind Cave National Park ranger. source: sdstandardnow.com
- Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 2022, receiving 26.1% to Sen. John Thune's 69.6%. Announced in 2025 a run as an independent in 2026. source: sdstandardnow.com
In their own words
What the candidate says they will work on, from their campaign site or their answers to news-outlet questionnaires. We list it as stated and do not rate it.
- Pledges to serve no more than two terms, supports an Independent caucus in Congress, and says 'hyper polarization' causes Washington's problems (News Watch voter guide summary). source: sdnewswatch.org
- Says South Dakotans need a senator who thinks independently and is not indebted to anyone but the voters, and promises a focus on cost-of-living concerns (2025 announcement). source: sdstandardnow.com
Look them up yourself
Latest news
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Something wrong or missing? This profile was compiled from public sources on October 16, 2026. Every fact links to where it came from.