Independent U.S. Senate candidate Brian Bengs sat down with Intellectual Dissatisfaction for a follow-up interview that opened with the allegation now hanging over South Dakota’s Senate race.
Former Democratic candidate Julian Beaudion has said he and people close to him experienced threatening or intimidating conduct before he withdrew. Bengs denied that he, anyone employed by his campaign, or anyone acting on its behalf threatened Beaudoin, his family or his property.
Bengs did acknowledge discussing withdrawal with Beaudoin. He said the two had discussed a “gentleman’s agreement” under which the less competitive candidate, judged by polling and fundraising, would step aside. Bengs said he later concluded Beaudoin was no longer competitive and urged him to withdraw.
During a phone call with Julian and his wife, Brian told Julian that he would have to “treat him like Mike Rounds” if Julian did not drop out of the race, because “he had gone to great lengths to not speak ill of Julian prior to that point.”
Asked for his response following the interview, Beaudoin provided Intellectual Dissatisfaction the following statement, which is consistent with statements he made in his newly launched show, The People’s Table:
“I have not and will not make accusations that are untrue. The reality of campaigning is that there are many differences between candidates. Sometimes, those differences get personal. But they should never become dangerous. As of today, there is no evidence of any criminal activity. Threatening language or perceived threats are not illegal but it doesn’t make them any less dangerous. I feel comfortable and confident in the story I have been able to relay to South Dakotans. Now however, we must most forward together. I will not make this an us vs them discussion just as I tried not to make it that way while running. The responsibility now falls on Brian and Mike to prove their worth to us, the voters. I have yet to endorse a candidate because neither have earned my vote. Because I’m human, some of my disagreements are personal. But because I’m a leader, I am placing those disagreements to the side with an open mind as to who I will support moving forward.”
Bengs argued an independent senator could organize with other independents and use a closely divided Senate to force negotiations rather than simply becoming an appendage of either party.
We also pressed him on the $5,000 his campaign received from the No Surrender Fund after Bengs criticized corporate influence in politics. Bengs distinguished corporate PAC money from PAC money generally, saying he would accept support from aligned organizations, including union PACs.
On his proposed wealth tax, Bengs defended taxing billionaire assets while acknowledging privately held companies create harder valuation questions. He suggested averaging valuations over time could address some volatility.
Bengs also raised privacy concerns about Flock license-plate cameras. He acknowledged their value in stolen-vehicle or kidnapping cases, but said access and retention need tighter limits and suggested warrant requirements may be appropriate.
On AI and data centers, Bengs called the technology potentially transformative while warning against letting development race ahead without rules protecting workers, utility customers and surrounding communities.
He closed the policy portion on a familiar theme: Congress has surrendered too much of its constitutional responsibility over war and needs to more clearly define objectives, costs and limits before committing the country to open-ended conflicts.
