TURN SOUTH DAKOTA PURPLE TO HOST FIRST SIDE-BY-SIDE CONVERSATION BETWEEN U.S. SENATE CHALLENGERS JULIAN BEAUDION AND BRIAN BENGS
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Turn South Dakota Purple will host the first side-by-side conversation between Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Julian Beaudion and Independent U.S. Senate candidate Brian Bengs on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
Moderated by Turn South Dakota Purple communications strategist Ngoc Thach, the event will bring together Senator Mike Rounds' challengers for an extended discussion of issues facing South Dakota, their visions for the state, and their respective paths to victory in 2026.
The full conversation will be recorded and released in its entirety on July 1 at 8:00 p.m. Central / 7:00 p.m. Mountain on Turn South Dakota Purple's Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Unlike traditional debates focused on short answers and rapid exchanges, the Turn South Dakota Purple format is designed to allow candidates to discuss issues in depth. Each candidate will select topics important to their campaign, while additional topics and questions will be provided by Turn South Dakota Purple. Candidates will also have opportunities to respond directly to one another's positions.
The full conversation will be released unedited. Both campaigns will receive access to the video footage and may use it for their own purposes.
"We believe South Dakotans are hungry for more substantive political conversations," said Thach. "This is an opportunity for voters to hear directly from both candidates, compare their ideas side-by-side, and see whether political opponents can still engage each other with honesty and respect."
The discussion will also include questions submitted by South Dakota voters.
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CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Julian Beaudion (Campaign Submitted)
Julian Beaudion is the Democratic Nominee for the United States Senate in South Dakota. A community leader, small business owner, and former South Dakota Highway Patrol officer committed to putting people over politics. With over 13 years of public service and leadership across nonprofit and community organizations, Julian’s campaign is focused on building a country that works for everyone. His top priorities include advancing Universal Healthcare to ensure every South Dakotan has access to care, expanding Affordable Housing so families can thrive, and strengthening public education at the federal level to create opportunity for future generations. Through 28 town halls and conversations across the state, Julian is building policy informed directly from South Dakotans. He is fighting for a future rooted in affordability, dignity, and opportunity for all.
Brian Bengs (Campaign Submitted)
Brian Bengs is a Navy veteran, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, and former National Park Ranger. As an Air Force JAG, he defended the Constitution. He was an ethics advisor who also taught the Law of War. He’s from a blue-collar family, grew up in a town of 500 people, and believes regular South Dakotans have lost their voice in the Senate. Brian isn’t taking a penny of corporate PAC money. He wants to ban congressional stock trading, reopen the Epstein investigation, and wants billionaires to pay a higher tax rate than people who work for a living. He supports term limits and vows not to serve more than two terms. He is running for U.S. Senate as an Independent to put everyday South Dakotans over political parties.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Members of the media interested in covering the event, receiving advance information, or requesting interviews should contact:
Ngoc Thach
Turn South Dakota Purple
(605) 940-8824
turnsdpurple@gmail.com
www.turnsdpurple.com
ABOUT TURN SOUTH DAKOTA PURPLE
Turn South Dakota Purple is an independent grassroots civic engagement project dedicated to increasing voter participation, promoting government accountability, and creating opportunities for constructive political dialogue. Through candidate interviews, legislative accountability initiatives, voter education resources, and public conversations, Turn South Dakota Purple works to help South Dakotans make informed decisions and engage more fully in the democratic process.
