SEARCHLIGHT NEWS
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, answers questions during a Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce event on Aug. 28, 2025, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)
By Seth Tupper
A well-funded challenge by an independent fell short Tuesday as Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota won reelection.
Rounds led Brian Bengs 62% to 38% when The Associated Press called the race at about 11 p.m. Central time with 58% of statewide votes counted.
The federal government’s website for Medicaid, a health insurance program for people with low incomes. (Photo by South Dakota Searchlight)
By Seth Tupper, Meghan O’Brien, Makenzie Huber
South Dakota voters rejected a ballot question Tuesday that could have triggered a repeal of the state’s Medicaid expansion mandate.
When The Associated Press called the race at 1:22 a.m. Wednesday, 56% of the votes were against Amendment I and 44% were in favor. Over 80% of votes statewide had been counted.
More results: 2026 South Dakota general election returns
By South Dakota Searchlight staff
Democrats were expected to make gains nationally in Tuesday’s election, but interviews with voters reflected the challenges still facing Democrats in South Dakota, where the party was trying to prevent a losing streak in statewide races from extending to 18 years.
FROM STATES NEWSROOM
The U.S. Capitol on the evening of Sept. 30, 2025, just hours before a federal government shutdown. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)
By Jacob Fischler
Voters across the country administered a sharp reprimand to President Donald Trump and Republicans who hold majorities in Congress, with Democrats gaining control of the Senate and on track by early Wednesday to take over the House as well.
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