Sen. John Thune became the second person in South Dakota history to be elected to a fourth U.S. Senate term, winning his race Tuesday by one of the largest margins in state history.

Thune, the second-highest ranking Republican in the Senate, beat Democratic candidate Brian Bengs. With 81 of 687 precincts counted, Thune was winning with 69 percent of the vote.

Thune thanked his campaign staff and his Senate staff for their hard work. Thune acknowledged that the country faces a lot of challenges, but he would make decisions in the interest of South Dakota.

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