On Aug. 4, Julian Beaudion (D) withdrew from the South Dakota general election for the U.S. Senate — the fifth time a major or minor party U.S. Senate nominee has withdrawn this year. As a result, this year ties with 2014 for the most nominee withdrawals (voluntary, misconduct-related, or due to death) since 1918.
Beaudion said he decided to withdraw following a fire at his house: "After the fire, an opponent and those associated with the opponent, hit my family and I with intimidating threats to drop out of this race." Beaudion also said that he would not endorse either of the remaining candidates in the election — incumbent Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Brian Bengs (I).
South Dakota Democratic Party Deputy Director Joe Zweifel said the party will not nominate a replacement candidate.
