Julian Beaudion

South Dakota Senate Democratic candidate Julian Beaudion suspended his campaign due to personal challenges, leaving independent candidate Brian Bengs to run against Sen. Mike Rounds. The decision creates an open contest for the Senate seat.

Julian Beaudion, the Senate nominee in South Dakota, announced his exit from the race. His withdrawal clears the way for an independent candidate.

South Dakota Democratic Senate nominee Julian Beaudion withdrew from the race to allow independent Brian Bengs to compete against Republican Sen. Mike Rounds. This follows similar moves by Democrats in Idaho and Nebraska to support stronger independent candidates, though Montana's Alani Bankhead remains in her race against independent Seth Bodnar.

Julian Beaudion withdrew from the South Dakota Senate race after resisting pressure to step aside. The contest is now the third Senate race without a Democratic candidate.

Democrats Alani Bankhead and Julian Beaudion refuse to withdraw from Senate races in Montana and South Dakota despite pressure to step aside for independents Seth Bodnar and Brian Bengs, who have stronger fundraising and polling. Both candidates state they will not exit unless 'a lightning bolt from God' intervenes, risking Democratic hopes of regaining Senate control in deeply red states.

Sen. Mike Round (R) is seeking a third term in South Dakota's Senate primary, facing one challenger. He is expected to advance to face Julian Beaudion, the Democrats' presumptive nominee. Polls close at 8 p.m. EDT with live results available from Decision Desk HQ.