Polling Average
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18.2%
South Dakota Republican Senate nominee?
$21.4K
JUN 9, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleEntrepreneur
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
LocationSouth Dakota
BackgroundEntrepreneur
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EducationThomas Edison State University — Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering (2007)
Notable personal detailsJustin S. McNeal is a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in South Dakota. He is a U.S. Navy veteran and entrepreneur based in Rapid City, South Dakota, and has founded Dakota BioChar. He has also served as a transport mission pilot with the South Dakota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govdocquery.fec.govjustinmcneal.comsdsos.govsdgop.comballotready.orgkwit.orgsouthdakotasearchlight.compierrereview.comen.wikipedia.orgapps.npr.orgsenate.govthepolitibase.comthedakotascout.comujs.sd.govyahoo.comdakota-biochar.commcneal4congress.comindyfin.compolitics1.commprnews.orgdakotawarcollege.comballot-access.orgoperationsaveamerica.orgtermlimits.comkeloland.comnewsnationnow.comfox40.comms.nowargusleader.comaberdeeninsider.comsiouxfallslive.comdakotabroadcasting.comdakotavoter.comballotpedia.orgpolymarket.comfacebook.cominstagram.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgstatic.votesmart.orghistory.house.govrepublicanleader.senate.govrounds.senate.govgovinfo.govclerk.house.govcongress.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports fiscal restraint, reducing wasteful federal spending, increasing transparency and oversight, and protecting taxpayers from rising debt and inflation. Opposes certain federal tax subsidies (for example, the 45Q carbon capture tax credit) and advocates rolling back taxpayer-funded corporate subsidies and eminent-domain use for private projects. Emphasizes limited government, local control, and pro-growth energy and business policies.
Healthcare
Supports improving VA access and expanding mental-health care in rural areas while opposing federal overreach and favoring reduced federal bureaucracy and local control of health-related decisions. Emphasizes cutting red tape and streamlining programs rather than expanding large federal healthcare programs. No advocacy for Medicare for All or an expanded federal entitlement is stated in available campaign materials.
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Climate & Energy
The candidate is the founder of Dakota BioChar, a company that converts forest residues into biochar and renewable electricity to reduce wildfire risk, improve soil health, and sequester carbon; his campaign emphasizes land stewardship and local control while opposing federal overreach. Public materials describe biochar production and clean power generation at a project level but do not articulate detailed national climate policy positions (e.g., support for Paris Agreement, carbon pricing, or fossil fuel phase-out).
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate expresses strong support for the Second Amendment and says he will protect it from federal overreach, indicating a pro-gun-rights stance that opposes expansive federal restrictions while respecting gun ownership.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
There are no specific recent reports here about Justin McNeal’s actions, statements, or campaign developments. The coverage provided focuses on broader election-policy and political dynamics, including South Dakota’s new law allowing voter citizenship challenges and ongoing GOP divisions over the proposed federal “SAVE America Act.” It also notes a wave of Republican incumbents opting not to run in 2026, which could reshape the midterm landscape, but McNeal is not mentioned directly.
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Articles
Polls
South Dakota Republican Senate nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$11.0K
$8.2K
$5.5K
$2.7K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$11.0K
$1.34
$11.0K
$610.66
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements