Bengs takes his shots in his one Senate debate against Thune

Libertarian Tamara Lesnar agrees with Democrat Bengs on most issues

Democratic Senate candidate Brian Bengs, left, shakes hands with Sen. John Thune prior to the start of their Nov. 4, 2022 debate. Libertarian Tamara Lesnar, on the right, is getting her microphone ready. (Jonathan Ellis/The Dakota Scout)

U.S. Senate candidate Brian Bengs had one pitch and he swung for the fences.

The Democratic challenger to Sen. John Thune met his opponent for their first and only debate on Friday. Bengs repeatedly sought to put Thune on the defensive, questioning the longtime lawmaker’s effectiveness and referring to him as “Washington John Thune” in an attempt to tie him to the nation’s capital, an unpopular spot with South Dakota voters regardless of which political party controls the levers of power.

“What has John Thune done to make your life better since the last time we sent him to Washington?” Bengs asked at one point.