<p>South Dakota independent Senate candidate Brian Bengs hopes to unseat GOP Sen. Mike Rounds this fall, after the Democratic candidate in the race dropped out and eased Bengs' path. Bengs, who is part of a trend of independent candidates running for Senate this year, told CNN's Jeff Zeleny, an "independent is the answer to fixing what ails America."</p>
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Can independent Brian Bengs win a Senate seat in South Dakota?

South Dakota independent Senate candidate Brian Bengs hopes to unseat GOP Sen. Mike Rounds this fall, after the Democratic candidate in the race dropped out and eased Bengs' path. Bengs, who is part of a trend of independent candidates running for Senate this year, told CNN's Jeff Zeleny, an "independent is the answer to fixing what ails America."

8:47 • Source: CNN
Politics of the Day 9 videos
<p>South Dakota independent Senate candidate Brian Bengs hopes to unseat GOP Sen. Mike Rounds this fall, after the Democratic candidate in the race dropped out and eased Bengs' path. Bengs, who is part of a trend of independent candidates running for Senate this year, told CNN's Jeff Zeleny, an "independent is the answer to fixing what ails America."</p>
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Can independent Brian Bengs win a Senate seat in South Dakota?
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<p>The current Democratic minority leader and anticipated next House speaker, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, was interrupted numerous times by shouting protesters during an event in Denver</p>
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ANTALYA, TURKEY - NOVEMBER 12: California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks an event at the America Is All In pavilion at the COP31 UNFCCC Climate Conference on November 12, 2026 in Antalya, Turkey. The COP31, which is being held jointly by Turkey and Australia and will run from November 9-20, is bringing together stakeholders, including international heads of state and political leaders, scientists, environmentalists, indigenous peoples representatives, activists and others to discuss and agree on the implementation of global measures towards mitigating the effects of climate change. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
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<p>A US Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier admonished Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his entourage Wednesday after some in the group laughed and talked near the solemn memorial following a Veterans Day ceremony. “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!” the sentinel called out, stopping his patrol to face the group as they departed</p>
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JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI - NOVEMBER 10: District Attorney and Democratic Senate candidate Scott Colom speaks to a reporter at the conclusion of a news conference at the Hinds County Sheriff's Office on November 10, 2026 in Jackson, Mississippi. The state continues counting affidavit ballots, absentee ballots and other outstanding votes in the closely contested U.S. Senate race between Democratic candidate Scott Colom and incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS). A Colom victory would mark a historic first for Mississippi, which has not elected a Black U.S. senator since the Reconstruction era. No Democrat has won a U.S. Senate election in the state since 1982. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
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