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SD · Officeholder

Mike Rounds

RU.S. Senator · South Dakota

On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: U.S. Senate · South Dakota

Biography

Mike Rounds is the Republican U.S. Senator from South Dakota, seeking a third term. A former insurance and real estate businessman, he served in the South Dakota Senate (1991-2000, including as majority leader) and as the state's governor (2003-2011) before his election to the Senate in 2014. He was re-elected in 2020 and won the 2026 Republican primary.[1][2]

Rounds was born in Huron, South Dakota, in 1954, the eldest of 11 children, has lived in the Pierre area since early childhood, and describes himself as a lifelong South Dakotan.[2][3] He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from South Dakota State University in 1977.[1][2] In the private sector he built an insurance and real estate business with offices throughout the state; Wikipedia identifies him as a former partner in Fischer Rounds & Associates.[2][3]

Rounds was elected five times to the South Dakota Senate and served from 1991 to 2000, as minority whip from 1993 to 1994 and as majority leader from 1995 to 2000.[1][2] He won the Republican nomination for governor in 2002 and was elected that November with 56.8% of the vote, and he was re-elected in 2006 with 61.7%.[3] He served as the state's 31st governor from 2003 to 2011 and chaired the Midwestern Governors Association in 2008.[1][2][3] Rounds announced his Senate candidacy in November 2012. In 2014 he won the Republican primary on June 3 and the open Senate seat in November with 50.4% of the vote, and he was sworn in on January 6, 2015.[1][3]

Rounds won re-election in 2020 with 65.7% of the vote after defeating Republican primary challenger Scyller Borglum, 75.2% to 24.8%.[1] According to his official biography, he serves on the Appropriations, Armed Services, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Indian Affairs, and Select Intelligence committees. Wikipedia notes that he co-chairs the Senate AI Caucus and was a member of the bipartisan Senate AI Working Group.[2][3] He received President Donald Trump's endorsement in July 2025 and won the June 2, 2026 Republican primary with 75.8% of the vote over Justin McNeal.[1][3] Rounds lives in Fort Pierre and has four grown children and 11 grandchildren, according to his official biography.[2]

  1. 1.Mike Rounds · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
  2. 2.About Mike · Office of Sen. Mike Rounds · 2026-10-19 Official record
  3. 3.Mike Rounds · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.

On the ballot

Full candidate research ›U.S. Senate · South Dakota ›

Also on the ballot for this seat

Brian BengsCandidateINDU.S. Senate · South DakotaSouth Dakota

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 8 of 833 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (7), Rights & public safety (1), Foreign affairs & defense (1)

  • Paul Amdt. No. 4272; To eliminate funding for refugee and entrant assistance.

    A yes vote sought to adopt Amendment 4272 to H.R. 7148, which would eliminate funding for refugee and entrant assistance. (AI-written)

    What it does: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for the remainder of FY2026 and provides continuing FY2026 appropriations for the Department of Homel…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–45, Republicans 32–18

    Jan 30, 2026Official record ↗

  • Curtis Amdt. No. 3697; To require a review of the methodologies used to determine the amounts of locality-based comparability payments and to require the President's Pay Agent to conduct a pilot program establishing alternative models for determining the amounts of those payments.

    A yes vote adopted Curtis Amendment 3697 to the National Defense Authorization Act, which would require a review of locality pay methodologies and a pilot program of alternative models (60 votes needed). (AI-written)

    What it does: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2026 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, military construction, and the national securit…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 3–41, Republicans 46–3

    Oct 9, 2025Official record ↗

  • Scott (FL) Amdt. No. 3535; To require Presidential appointment and Senate confirmation of the Inspector General of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

    A yes vote adopted Scott (FL) Amendment 3535 to the National Defense Authorization Act, which would require presidential appointment and Senate confirmation of the Inspector General for the Federal Reserve Board and CFPB (60 votes needed). (AI-written)

    What it does: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2026 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, military construction, and the national securit…

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 8–36, Republicans 42–6

    Oct 9, 2025Official record ↗

  • Paul Amdt. No. 1266; To reduce the amount appropriated for the United States Agency for International Development.

    A yes vote adopted Paul Amendment 1266, to reduce the amount appropriated for the United States Agency for International Development. (AI-written)

    What it does: Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 This act provides continuing FY2025 appropriations for federal agencies and extends various expiring programs and authorities.

    Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–45, Republicans 27–24

    Mar 14, 2025Official record ↗

  • Motion to Table Lee Amdt. No. 4234; To strike the earmark for the Community and Training Center by the New Immigrant Community Empowerment.

    A yes vote set aside (tabled) Amendment 4234 to H.R. 7148, which would have struck the earmark for the Community and Training Center by the New Immigrant Community Empowerment. (AI-written)

    What it does: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for the remainder of FY2026 and provides continuing FY2026 appropriations for the Department of Homel…

    Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 45–0, Republicans 10–41

    Jan 30, 2026Official record ↗

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

See all their split votes

Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.

PN1129 · U.S. SENATE

Confirmation: Keith Sonderling, of F.L., to be Secretary of Labor

YesVOTED

Motion: On the Nomination

Confirms Keith Sonderling as Secretary of Labor.

AI summary — read the bill text ↗
Confirmed 47–41·Substantive·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
PN1129 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Invoke Cloture: Keith Sonderling to be Secretary of Labor

YesVOTED

Motion: On the Cloture Motion

A yes vote ended debate (cloture) so the Senate could move to a final vote on the nomination of Keith Sonderling to be Secretary of Labor. (AI-written)

Agreed to 53–47·Procedural·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9340 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to H.R. 9340; A bill to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish a Federal standard relating to the recovery of the full, incremental costs of upgrades that serve large-load customers, and for other purposes.

YesVOTED

Motion: On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed

A yes vote would have ended debate on whether the Senate should begin considering H.R. 9340, a bill setting a federal standard on recovering the costs of upgrades serving large-load electricity customers (cloture on the motion to proceed). (AI-written)

Ratepayer Protection Act The bill requires state utility regulators and nonregulated utilities to consider implementing a standard to hold certain large-load customers responsible for the costs associated with any generation, transmission, or distribution upgrade of electric service necessary to serve such customers.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 57–43·Procedural·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 7008 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed: H.R. 7008; A bill to amend chapter 131 of title 5 to require certain restrictions on stocks for Members of Congress and their spouses and dependents, and for other purposes.

YesVOTED

Motion: On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed

A yes vote would have ended debate on whether the Senate should begin considering H.R. 7008, a bill requiring certain restrictions on stocks held by Members of Congress and their spouses and dependents (cloture on the motion to proceed). (AI-written)

Stop Insider Trading Act This bill generally prohibits Members of Congress and their spouses and dependent children from purchasing stocks and requires public notice before these individuals may sell stocks.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 53–47·Procedural·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
S.Res. 852 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Discharge S. Res. 852; A resolution requesting information on Israel's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

NoVOTED

Motion: On the Motion to Discharge

A yes vote would have discharged S.Res. 852, requesting information on Israel's human rights practices under section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act, from committee so the Senate could consider it. (AI-written)

As introduced, requests that the Secretary of State give Congress, within 30 days, a statement on Israel's human rights practices, including information on alleged killings of U.S. citizens by Israeli forces or settlers since 2022, Americans held in Israeli prisons and detained Palestinian children.

AI summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 47–51·Procedural·Sep 29, 2026Roll call ↗
S.J.Res. 197 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Proceed to S.J. Res. 197; A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; and Basic Health Program".

NoVOTED

Motion: On the Motion to Proceed

A yes vote would have moved the Senate to take up S.J.Res. 197, a resolution to disapprove the CMS rule on the 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters and the Basic Health Program. (AI-written)

Overturns the federal health agency's 2027 rule setting payment parameters and standards for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, including insurer user fees, broker rules, hardship exemptions and catastrophic-plan options, so the rule has no legal effect.

AI summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 48–51·Procedural·Sep 29, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

S. 4668, as amended; A bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage of the Bill

Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 77–22·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

Booker Amdt. No. 6835; To establish certain standards with respect to coaches of varsity sports teams.

NoVOTED

Motion: On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6835

A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 6835, which would establish certain standards for coaches of varsity sports teams. (AI-written)

Amendment purpose (official): To establish certain standards with respect to coaches of varsity sports teams.

Bill summary: Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 47–52·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

Booker Amdt. No. 6805; To increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.

NoVOTED

Motion: On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6805

A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 6805, which would increase the limit on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury coverage for student athletes. (AI-written)

Amendment purpose (official): To increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.

Bill summary: Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 49–50·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

Kennedy Amdt. No. 6760; To limit price increases for college athletics tickets.

NoVOTED

Motion: On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6760

A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 6760, which would limit price increases for college athletics tickets. (AI-written)

Amendment purpose (official): To limit price increases for college athletics tickets.

Bill summary: Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 42–54·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗

Showing 10 of 911 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.