Mike Rounds

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - The race between incumbent Republican Sen. Mike Rounds and independent challenger Brian Bengs is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested in South Dakota, with the Navy veteran among several independent candidates nationwide championing a “purple” movement this midterm cycle.

In the final days before Election Day, several high-profile donors and political action committees have poured money into the contest.

According to a review of Federal Election Commission filings by KOTA Territory News, Working for Ohio, a PAC sponsored by Vice President J.D. Vance, donated $5,000 to the Rounds campaign on Oct. 29. Committees tied to other sitting lawmakers, including Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, have contributed a combined $20,000 since Oct. 19.

Rounds also reported $5,000 from a Hewlett Packard Enterprise PAC, which provides hardware and equipment for large data centers; $3,300 from Brian Venturo, chief strategy officer of AI cloud computing company CoreWeave; and $3,500 from Helen Schwab, wife of billionaire financier Charles Schwab.

The Rounds campaign did not answer specific questions regarding contributors tied to data center interests. However, campaign spokesperson Rob Skjonsberg said in a statement: “We appreciate the help and support, including the support from the vice president. Mike has always focused on doing the work that promotes a strong economy, safer communities and keeping the nation secure. People and organizations who share those same priorities have found a steady, stable policymaker in Mike.”

Bengs’ campaign has also drawn notable contributors, including Bob Kerrey, a former Nebraska governor and U.S. senator who met and corresponded with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein more than a decade ago, according to The New York Times.

Bengs previously criticized Rounds over attack ads that Bengs alleged were financed by a billionaire linked to Epstein.

“These ads aren’t paid for by Mike Rounds, but by his billionaire buddies he’s trying to protect,” Bengs said.

The independent’s campaign did not respond to questions on Kerrey, but a Bengs spokesperson said they have significantly out-raised the Republican senator in terms of small-dollar contributors, claiming Bengs’ raised about $870,000 from said donors compared to $49,000 in the Rounds campaign.

“Mike Rounds has taken millions from special interests and corporate PACs over the years,” the spokesperson said. “The AI data center industry is propping up this race for him because he can’t run on his record. Mike Rounds receives 50% of donations from special interests, corporate PACs and their executives.”

Rounds has out-raised Bengs throughout the cycle, taking in roughly $105,000 in late donations over the past two weeks alone. The financial disparity has driven Bengs to accept money from high-profile backers as well, including Boston billionaire Seth Klarman, who contributed $3,500 on Oct. 26.

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