Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) will announce his reelection plans after the holidays, telling the Washington Examiner that he is laying the groundwork to run and will share his decision in the first quarter.
“After the first of the year,” Rounds said in a brief interview, adding that the government shutdown complicated an announcement he previously suggested would come by December.
“We were planning on doing it here in the third quarter, and then in the fourth quarter,” Rounds added. “We just had other things going on, so we decided to wait until after the holidays.”
Rounds comfortably won his prior two Senate races and so far has no major primary challengers. He also has the support of President Donald Trump, who issued a preemptive endorsement in July.
“I mean, we’re working, we’re raising resources,” Rounds said, signaling he will pursue a third term. “We’re putting everything together.”
In the interview, Rounds declined to take sides in a crowded GOP primary for South Dakota governor that will unfold alongside the Senate race.
Gov. Larry Rhoden (R-SD) announced last month that he will seek a full term after replacing Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem in January, entering a field that includes Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), who once worked for Rounds.
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“I’m staying out of it,” Rounds said, calling both candidates “good friends of mine.”
Rounds previously served two terms as South Dakota governor.