Mike Rounds
Mike Rounds
South Dakota Republican Senate nominee?
$21.4K
JUN 9, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
LocationSouth Dakota
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports major tax cuts and lower rates for individuals and businesses, favors reducing regulations to promote economic growth, and has backed permanent extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Has proposed legislation to cut individual tax rates across the board and described tax relief as a way to strengthen the economy and support families and small businesses.
Healthcare
Opposes the Affordable Care Act and supports repealing or replacing it with market-based reforms that increase competition, give states more control, and protect Medicare for seniors; advocates policies aimed at lowering costs through private-market solutions and preserving Medicare benefits.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border security and enforcement measures while backing legal, merit-based immigration pathways; opposes granting amnesty to undocumented immigrants. Has sponsored and co-sponsored legislation to fund a border wall, tighten enforcement (including penalties for crossings and visa overstays), and prioritize merit-based visa policy for workforce needs.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports strong restrictions on abortion and has backed laws that ban most abortions while allowing an exception to save the mother’s life. He has sponsored and cosponsored federal legislation restricting abortion (including measures protecting infants born after attempted abortions and banning abortions for certain reasons) and as governor signed a near-total ban on abortions with a life-of-the-mother exception.
Climate & Energy
Supports an "all-of-the-above" energy approach that includes coal, oil, ethanol, and wind while opposing large federal mandates like the Green New Deal and regulatory measures such as the EPA Clean Power Plan and the Paris Agreement. Favors market-driven innovation and limited government intervention in energy policy, and has voted to block or repeal major federal emissions regulations.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports broad Second Amendment protections, has sponsored legislation to expand or clarify gun-carry and ownership rights (including constitutional-carry related bills and measures easing firearm access for specific groups), and has opposed proposals to ban or significantly further restrict firearms. Emphasizes protecting law-abiding gun owners while proposing measures that remove federal obstacles to carrying or purchasing firearms for certain populations.
News
Mike Rounds is in the news as the incumbent in South Dakota’s 2026 Senate race, with reports saying Kristi Noem is unlikely to run against him and that he has Donald Trump’s endorsement. Earlier speculation that Noem might mount a primary challenge surfaced amid reports of turmoil around her role in the Trump administration. Rounds is also being mentioned in broader GOP election-year debates over voting and citizenship rules, including election-integrity measures and the push to pass the SAVE America Act.
Noem could forgo her new federal role for a political race, but observers say it’s unlikely
Republicans face a growing conundrum on the ‘Save America Act’
Republican Departures From Congress Surge Ahead of 2026 Elections
Trump Aides Have ‘Always’ Wanted ICE Barbie Fired
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262022
2024
2026
LatestCycle 2022
Cycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements