Summary
Three-term Republican and Senate Minority Whip John Thune was re-elected in 2016 with 71.8% of the vote and is running for reelection to a fourth term. Thune has been subject to some backlash from former President Trump and his supporters in the state of South Dakota, leading to speculation of a potential primary challenge. He defeated Bruce Whalen, an Oglala Sioux tribal administrator and former chair of the Oglala Lakota County Republican Party in the Republican primary.
The Democratic candidate is author and navy veteran Brian Bengs, who won the Democratic primary unopposed.
Source: Wikipedia
OnAir Post: 2022 SD Senate Race
John Thune
Current Position: US Senator since 2005
Affiliation: Republican
Candidate: 2022 US Senator
Former Position(s): US Representative from 1997 – 2003
Other Positions:
Republican Whip
Featured Quote:
Following my request, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing next week on potential manipulation in the beef market. South Dakota producers deserve answers, and this is an important development in our effort to hold the packing industry accountable.
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Brian Bengs
Current Position: US Senator
Affiliation: Democrat
Candidate: 2022 US Senator
Brian Bengs grew up in a working-class family in a small, northern Iowa town. His father was a union machinist at a nearby factory and served in the Iowa National Guard until retiring as the First Sergeant of the local unit. His mother worked as a waitress at the town cafe when he and his brother were older. Brian’s parents instilled traditional midwestern values of hard work, honesty, and getting the job done. He put his work ethic into practice throughout high school delivering newspapers every morning and detasseling corn in the summer.
After studying history and law and serving in the military for most of his adult life, Brian has a keen understanding of how our government was created and has evolved over the years. His diverse experience and education also give him the perspective to see a better path for the future. Although Americans are dangerously polarized today, he continues to believe that democracy is the best and only answer to the problems our country faces. Learn more about his plans to put regular South Dakotans first here.
For more information, go to this post.
