South Dakota Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Julian Beaudion announced Tuesday he is suspending his campaign, leaving independent candidate Brian Bengs as the sole challenger to incumbent Republican Sen. Mike Rounds.
In a statement, Beaudion cited a recent house fire, ongoing personal financial hardship, and what he described as intimidating threats from an opponent and their associates as reasons for his withdrawal. He stated his primary responsibility is to his family's well-being.
"The mental and physical safety of my family is my priority and for this reason alone, I step aside," Beaudion said in his statement. He added that while he would not discuss specific threats at this time, he intends to do so later. Beaudion also confirmed he would not endorse either of the remaining candidates in the race.
Beaudion's departure effectively sets up a two-person contest between Rounds and Bengs, a candidate who previously ran for U.S. Senate as a Democrat in 2022. Bengs lost that bid to Republican Sen. John Thune.
Brian Bengs acknowledged Beaudion's decision on social media, commending his "patriotic decision to make this a two-person race and put South Dakota first." Bengs invited South Dakotans seeking to vote against "Washington's cost-raising agenda and corruption" to unite behind his candidacy to oppose Sen. Rounds, whom he referred to as "Big Money Mike Rounds."
The South Dakota Democratic Party Chair, Shane Merrill, expressed support for Beaudion's decision and praised his campaign efforts. "Julian would have made an outstanding US Senator for South Dakota," Merrill stated. "Every city, town, and reservation he's visited, people truly felt like they were being heard. Julian is the kind of leader we need in Congress. He is fair, understanding and open minded. That is why he would have won in November. While I am saddened that he is leaving the race, I respect his decision to focus on his family. Thank you Julian for your dedication to the people of South Dakota."
Sen. Mike Rounds, the incumbent Republican, has served in the Senate for South Dakota since 2015. Prior to his Senate tenure, Rounds was the Governor of South Dakota from 2003 to 2011 and served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2003. His office has not yet commented on Beaudion's withdrawal. 
