Regional Industry & News

Bengs continues to call out Rounds, focusing on big money and avoiding debates

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - On Thursday, US Senate candidate Brian Bengs held a news conference about his opponent, Senator Mike Rounds. Bengs said big-money interests may be influencing Rounds’ campaign.

Bengs has run on the promise of getting money out of politics once he becomes a senator. He says there is no bigger case example of why this is needed than his opponent, Mike Rounds.

According to Bengs himself, Rounds has taken over $80,000 more from AI and data center companies than all South Dakota donors combined. He then complimented anyone who has refused to take large donor money.

“I have a great deal of respect for any candidates, for all candidates from any party who are willing to stand up against these out-of-state interests. It takes a lot of guts to do the right thing,” Bengs said.

However, Bengs has made investments in companies like Kyndryl and IBM, which operate data centers. Bengs said these are small investments of less than $50 and a couple of thousand dollars and were submitted to a Roth IRA by a friend who serves as a financial advisor to him.

“I’m willing to state right now that I will divest myself of that $50 worth of stuff,” Bengs said.

Bengs said he is not anti-data center, just opposed to money limiting the voice of the people.

“What sort of world do we want to shape? What sort of society do we want to live in? And the benefits if they start going to the broader society, then people will come around to go, ‘ya data centers, there are some sacrifices, but the broader benefits to Americans and to our community are worth the trade-off,’” Bengs said.

He also recognized AI as a competitive tool that will be critical to upholding American values and national security.

Rounds’ campaign responded to the claims, saying:

The fate of these two candidates will be decided at this year’s general election, which takes place on November 3.