South Dakota Democratic Senate nominee drops out to pave way for independent challenger

South Dakota Democratic Senate nominee Julian Beaudion suspended his campaign Tuesday, clearing the way for independent candidate Brian Bengs to emerge as the lone challenger to Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) in November. Beaudion, a former state trooper, said he was ending his campaign because of a series of personal hardshi

South Dakota Senate Democratic candidate Julian Beaudion announced on Tuesday that he would be suspending his campaign for the upper chamber, leaving independent candidate Brian Bengs to take on Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) this fall.  “In recent weeks, my family has faced extraordinary personal challenges. As many of you

The decision by Julian Beaudion, the Democratic nominee, to leave the race was the third recent withdrawal by a Democratic Senate candidate in a red state.

Julian Beaudion ended his campaign after winning the Democratic nomination in June, leaving GOP Sen. Mike Rounds with an independent challenger in November.