HOT SPRINGS, S.D.(Press Release)- Retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Brian Bengs officially declared his candidacy as an Independent in the 2026 election for South Dakota’s U.S. Senate seat. A husband, father, dual service military veteran, attorney, former criminal justice professor at Northern State University, and recent Wind Cave National Park Ranger, Bengs pledges to be an outspoken advocate for improving the daily lives of regular South Dakotans routinely ignored by the political establishment.​

In announcing his campaign Bengs said, “South Dakotans deserve a senator who isn’t a gutless robot for some political party and Big Money.”

“I’m running because the system needs to hear from someone who understands the reality of most South Dakotans, lives like they do, does his own thinking, and isn’t indebted to anyone but them.”

As an Air Force judge advocate general (JAG) officer, Bengs ensured that military and civilian personnel avoided even an appearance of impropriety–standards that are sorely lacking among lifetime politicians in Washington. In addition to his military and academic background, Bengs has been active in South Dakota civic activities.

As an Independent candidate, Bengs expects to unite voters across the political spectrum who are unhappy with the dysfunctional status quo and instead want pragmatic, principled leadership pursuing solutions that will actually improve the lives of regular folks working hard to make ends meet.​