Julian Beaudion, the Democratic candidate who was challenging Republican Sen.Mike Rounds of South Dakota, announced that he is dropping his election bid, a move that leaves independent candidate Brian Bengs going head-to-head against the incumbent lawmaker."As many of you know, we experienced a devastating house fire while continuing to navigate significant personal financial hardship," Beaudion explained in part of a lengthy statement issued on Tuesday.
"Through it all, my wife, Inkka, and our daughters have shown incredible strength.They have sacrificed more than anyone should ever be asked to sacrifice for a campaign.
Today, my first responsibility is to them.""After the fire, an opponent and those associated with the opponent, hit my family and I with intimidating threats to drop out of this race.Those attacks were personal and never about politics.
The mental and physical safety of my family is my priority and for this reason alone, I step aside.This is a time for my family to heal and for South Dakota voters to choose a Senator.
Not a time for me to talk of specific threats and attacks.But rest assured that time will come," he said in the statementGOP GOVERNOR SURVIVES CHALLENGE FROM BITCOIN EVANGELIST IN GUBERNATORIAL RUNOFFU.S.
Senate candidate Julian Beaudion speaks during the McGovern Day Dinner hosted by the Democratic Party on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall in Sioux Falls, S.D.(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)Beaudion said he will not back either of the remaining candidates in the contest."Let me be clear, I will not be endorsing or supporting Brian Bengs in this race," he noted.
"Likewise, I cannot support Senator Mike Rounds."TRUMP ENDORSES GOP SENATOR YEARS AFTER ASSERTING 'I WILL NEVER ENDORSE THIS JERK AGAIN'Sen.Mike Rounds, R-S.D., is seen during votes in the U.S.
Capitol on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)Bengs, who ran for U.S.
Senate as a Democrat in 2022 but lost to GOP ...