Mike Rounds

Mike Rounds, a member of the Republican Party, has served as a U.S. Senator from South Dakota since 2015. Born in Huron, South Dakota, he is the eldest of 11 children. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from South Dakota State University in 1977. Before entering public office, Rounds had a successful career in the private sector, building a real estate and insurance business, Fischer Rounds & Associates, which operates offices throughout South Dakota. His political career began in the South Dakota State Senate, where he served five terms from 1991 to 2000, including six years as Senate Majority Leader. In 2002, he was elected as the 31st Governor of South Dakota, serving two terms from 2003 to 2011. As Governor, Rounds focused on economic development, infrastructure, and education, including the establishment of the Sanford Underground Research Laboratory. He was first elected to the United States Senate in 2014 and was re-elected in 2020. In the U.S. Senate, Rounds serves on several key committees, including the Senate Committees on Armed Services, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and the Select Committee on Intelligence. He is a co-chair of the Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus and has been active in developing policy surrounding cybersecurity and emerging technologies. His legislative work often focuses on issues impacting rural communities, veterans' affairs, and national defense.

Senator Rounds advocates for a conservative policy agenda centered on fiscal responsibility and national security. On the economy, he supports maintaining low taxes, reducing federal spending, and deregulating businesses to stimulate growth. In terms of energy, he promotes an "all-of-the-above" strategy that supports both traditional fossil fuels and renewable sources like ethanol and wind to achieve American energy independence. Regarding healthcare, he has supported efforts to address workforce shortages in rural areas through merit-based immigration for medical professionals and has consistently opposed the Affordable Care Act. On immigration, Rounds emphasizes the need for strong border security and increased enforcement, including support for a physical wall, while favoring a merit-based legal immigration system and opposing amnesty for those in the country illegally. He is also a prominent voice on national defense, focusing on modernization of the military and the ethical development of artificial intelligence.