Poll: Independent candidate surging in South Dakota Senate race

There could potentially be yet another upset brewing for an independent candidate in a Senate race from a red state — on top of the already dramatic campaign in Kansas — according to the new SurveyUSA poll of the open seat race in South Dakota, where Sen. Tim Johnson (D) is retiring.
The poll, conducted for the Aberdeen American News and other local media outlets, shows Republican former Gov. Mike Rounds with 35 percent of the vote; followed in second place by ex-Republican U.S. Sen. Larry Pressler, who is now running as an independent, with 32 percent; and Democratic former FEMA official (and amateur country singer) Rick Weiland with 28 percent; plus another independent, Gordon Howie, drawing 3 percent. The survey of likely voters was conducted from Oct. 1 to 5, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
This poll suggests a possible new surge of momentum for Pressler. In the previous SurveyUSA poll of the race from a month ago, Rounds had 39 percent, Weiland 28 percent, and Pressler 25 percent.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Pressler served in the Senate as a Republican for 18 years, before he was defeated in 1996 by Tim Johnson. He later went on to cross party lines and endorse Barack Obama for president, first in 2008 and again in 2012. Now running as a centrist, he has left open the option of caucusing with either party if he returns to the Senate. He has also promised to serve only one term — he would thus retire at age 78 — so that he would never raise any money for re-election.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How Canadian tariffs could impact tourism to the US
In the Spotlight Canadians represent the largest group of foreign visitors to the United States. But they may soon stop visiting.
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Entitlements: DOGE goes after Social Security
Feature Elon Musk is pushing false claims about Social Security fraud
By The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Amazon Bond
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Rep. Sylvester Turner dies, weeks after joining House
Speed Read The former Houston mayor and longtime state legislator left behind a final message for Trump: 'Don't mess with Medicaid'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses Ukraine intelligence sharing
Speed Read The decision is intended to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into peace negotiations with Vladimir Putin
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rules against Trump on aid freeze
Speed Read The court rejected the president's request to freeze nearly $2 billion in payments for foreign humanitarian work
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump touts early wins in partisan speech to Congress
Speed Read The president said he is 'just getting started' with his sweeping changes to immigration, the economy and foreign policy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trudeau blasts Trump's 'very dumb' trade war
Speed Read Retaliatory measures have been announced by America's largest trading partners following Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine after public spat
Speed Read Trump and J.D. Vance berated Volodymyr Zelenskyy for what they saw as insufficient gratitude
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's Mexico and Canada tariffs begin, roiling markets
Speed Read Stocks plunged after Trump affirmed that the tariffs would take effect, sparking a likely trade war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Judge tells White House to stop ordering mass firings
speed read The ruling is a complication in the Trump administration's plans to slash the federal workforce
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published