ABERDEEN, S.D.(WNAX)- South Dakota democratic Senate candidate Brian Bengs election petitions have been certified and he will be on the November general election ballot.

He says that was a big step.

Bengs says step two is raising campaign cash.

Bengs says he will be looking for endorsements both in and outside the state.

Bengs is a former instructor at Northern State University in Aberdeen making his first run for any office.

Incumbent republican Senator John Thune is running for re-election, but will face a primary in June against challengers Bruce Whalen and Mark Mowry.