SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Hub City Radio)-

On Thursday, South Dakota News Watch in conjunction with Chiesman Center for Democracy out of USD shows Senator Rounds leading over Independent candidate Brian Bengs 56% to 37% with 7% undecided.

The Oct. 12-14 survey of 500 likely voters came from Mason-Dixon Polling and Strategy with a margin of error at 4.5%.

Broken down by party:

Republicans:  85% support Senator Rounds, 12% support Brian Bengs while 3% undecided

Democrats:   69% support Brian Bengs, 22% support Senator Rounds while 9% undecided

Independents: 62% support Brian Bengs, 30% support Senator Rounds while 9% undecided

Approval rating:

Senator Rounds has a 61% approval rating overall, 90% among Republicans, 31% among Democrats and Independents

Brian Bengs Name Recognition:

85% Democrats recognize him with 53% favorable, 13% unfavorable, and 15% don’t recognize

57% Republicans recognize him with 11% favorable, 27% unfavorable, and 43% don’t recognize

69% Independents recognize him with 44% favorable, 7% unfavorable, and 32$ don’t recognize

On Thursday, KELOLAND worked with long-time partner Emerson College on a poll that surveyed 803 likely South Dakota voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5% show Senator Rounds leading with 50% to Bengs’ 42% with 8% undecided.

The breakdown of who did the survey reflected close to the voter registration in the state of South Dakota.

52.9% Republicans(52.7% Registered) 24.1 Democrats(21.5% Registered) 23% Independents(25.8% Registered)