ABERDEEN, S.D.(WNAX)- Brian Bengs of Aberdeen is running for the democratic nomination for the US Senate.

He is a military veteran and most recently was an instructor at Northern State University.

He says he decided to run after seeing what happened in Washington last January sixth.

Bengs says he was waiting for someone to come up with a plan to defend American democracy.

Bengs says he also wants to help shore up rural states and towns.

Republican Senator John Thune just announced he would run for a fourth term. There are three other republicans interested in the race, but none have officially filed for the June primary yet.