Look right. Look left. Listen to the critiques. Democrats call him a Republican. Republicans call him a Democrat- identity politics at its worst, and a shameful example of where we’re at today in our ever-evolving Political Calculus class.

I’m talking about some commentary being made about Brian Bengs- the Independent candidate for the United States Senate.

Political parties aren’t inherently bad. They can provide valuable infrastructure for a candidate: volunteers, fundraising opportunities, networking, and experienced minds who have done it before. All valuable things that can make the difference between getting elected and just being on the ballot; oftentimes, it takes one to be on the ballot.

However, political parties can come with strings. Toe the party line. Conformity. Who your friends can be and whom your enemies are supposed to be. Where you can accept money, who it comes from, and a good amount of bureaucracy everywhere in between.

But what happens when a candidate doesn’t have that resource? Suspicion. How can they do this? What are their real owners? Especially if they’re not independently wealthy enough to fund a campaign themselves.

But the answer is often a lot more straightforward and less nuanced. Coalitions and tenacity. Two things the Bengs campaign has invested a lot of time in. Between new groups like TurnSDPurple, the Vote Independent Movement, and a few minor and major political figures from every political background stepping forward, people are showing their faces. It’s time to show mine.

Yesterday, Brian texted me and asked if I would give him my endorsement. I considered the consequences. Endorsing Brian would upset some people deeply devoted to political parties. But in reality, I believe in people before parties.

I said yes.

Brian and I disagree on some things, but I know him a little beyond his public image. He’s a family man, has a deep sense of duty- evidenced by 20+ years in the military- he’s smarter than the average person you’ll typically debate (probably why his opponent won’t debate him), he loves South Dakota, and he’s still the kind of guy you can enjoy a cold beverage and pizza with on Main Street in Rapid City. And when you do, he’ll ask the bartender what issues matter to them too.

An endorsement doesn’t mean I agree with everything he stands for. But ask yourself: Have you ever seen a political candidate you agree with on everything? Probably not. But you’re hedging a bet that says, despite those differences, you think the person you’re voting for is the best option available.

In my opinion- and yes, this is an opinion piece- when compared to a career politician who’s had years in office to accomplish South Dakota goals like MCOOL, whose seatmate and partymate has been one of the most powerful and influential figures in Washington, D.C., a point needs to be reached where the voter says, “Not enough, you’re out of time.”

The polls are sporadic, but they paint a picture. Some show the race within a few points. Some show it more decisive. But they show it going both ways, and enough of them have come out that forced Senator Rounds to launch attack ads and pay for his own polls to share. That’s the tale of someone who isn’t totally sure of their victory, and that means the underdog has a chance.

Thank you, Mike Rounds, for your years of public service. They’ve come at personal sacrifice, long nights, and a lot of criticism. However, being an elected official was never supposed to be a career, and as the years have gone by, I believe you’ve lost touch with South Dakotans, and you should return home to be a full-time resident again.

I’m throwing my hat behind Brian Bengs this election. That doesn’t mean I agree with him on everything, and if he wins, I’ll be as hard and critical of him as anyone — that’s my promise. But in this two-way race, I think the Independent candidate is the best choice for South Dakota, because when what you’re doing isn’t working, it’s time to put someone else to work.

I wouldn’t tell you who to vote for, but I am telling you: it’s worth a look.

 

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