John Thune

In the 2022 Senate race for SD Senate seat, John R. Thune (R) won with 69.6% of the vote, defeating Brian L. Bengs (D) who received 26.1%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. John R. Thune's 43.5-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — M. Michael Rounds (R) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. As a Republican, John R. Thune benefited from the historical midterm penalty against the president's party — with a Democrat in the White House, the opposition typically gains seats. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Republican column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2016 Senate race for SD Senate seat, John R. Thune (R) defeated Jay Williams (D) 71.8% to 28.2%. John R. Thune received 265,516 votes compared to 104,140 for Jay Williams, a dominant 43.7-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — Mike Rounds (R) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2016 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.