Mike Rounds removes Trump references from campaign website as race tightens
South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds has removed references to Donald Trump from the front page and issues section of his campaign website, despite previously highlighting the president’s endorsement and their shared “America First” positions. The change comes as Rounds faces a stronger challenge than usual in a state Trump won comfortably, and as some Republicans adjust their campaign messaging ahead of the midterms.
Rounds is running against independent Brian Bengs after Democratic nominee Julian Beaudion withdrew on 4 August. A Zenith Research poll of 500 likely voters, conducted from 24 to 27 September, gave Rounds a six-point lead, with a 4.4-point margin of error; Trump won South Dakota with 63.4 per cent in 2024. Rounds’ adviser said the campaign remained proud of Trump’s endorsement, which still appears in an announcement video, while the seat is rated Solid Republican by the Cook Political Report.
- Rounds has removed Trump references from key parts of his campaign website.
- A poll gives him a six-point lead over independent Brian Bengs.
- Several Republicans are changing how prominently they feature Trump.
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Mike Rounds is South Dakota's Republican senator running for re-election. The state voted for Donald Trump in 2024 with 63 per cent of the vote and has a strong history of supporting Republican candidates. Rounds has been a consistent Trump supporter and his campaign previously emphasised the former president's endorsement.
Despite South Dakota's traditional Republican leanings, Rounds faces an unexpectedly competitive race against independent challenger Brian Bengs, with a recent poll showing him ahead by only six points. This tighter-than-expected contest has prompted Rounds' campaign to reduce the prominence of Trump references on his website.
Some Republican candidates across the country are reconsidering how directly they associate with Trump in their campaign materials. For politicians in competitive races, strategists must weigh whether emphasising Trump helps or hinders their prospects with different groups of voters.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Campaign strategy should adapt to electoral circumstances. Rounds faces unexpected competition in a traditionally secure state; adjusting his messaging to appeal to undecided voters and moderates is rational political leadership that improves his chances of serving South Dakota. Keeping Trump's endorsement in his announcement video whilst de-emphasising it elsewhere represents professional communication that allows him to broaden his coalition without renouncing their partnership.
The case against
Elected officials should maintain consistent, principled positions in their public messaging. If Trump's endorsement and shared platform were genuinely central to Rounds' campaign, quietly removing these references when the race tightened suggests political calculation rather than authentic conviction. Voters deserve transparency about their representatives' actual values and commitments; tactical repositioning based on polling data undermines democratic accountability and the public trust essential to representative government.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Another Republican senator quietly scrubs Trump from campaign website as midterm jitters creep into blood red South Dakota”.