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Common Ground Scorecard for Mike Rounds

Maverick
U.S. Senate

Mike Rounds (SD - R)

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Mike Rounds, a former state legislator and governor of South Dakota, views the Washington bureaucracy as a Goliath in need of slaying. His focus has been on reining in what he sees as an overzealous and burdensome regulatory process. He’s also looked for common ground with Democrats, both in the majority and the minority. After school, Rounds went into the insurance and real estate business before his election to state Senate in 1990. Later as governor, he focused on balancing the budget, increasing business opportunities and tourism, and developing the state’s energy resources.

(Bloomberg Government biography of Mike Rounds)

Learn what Mike Rounds says about finding common ground

Up for Reelection in 2026

Top Organizations and Groups

  • Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
  • Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
  • Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
  • Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
  • Senate Committee on Armed Services

Common Ground Score is

56
*Common Ground Maverick*
Well Above Average

Based on a scale of 0-100, below is a breakdown of the Common Ground Score:

Official PerformanceMAX 30
16
Personal ActionsMAX 30
10
CommunicationsMAX 20
20
CommitmentsMAX 20
0
BONUS: Outstanding Common GrounderMAX 10
10

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Common Ground Score History for Mike Rounds

Hover over points for more data

Official Performance Commentary

Official Performance score increased 6 points based on 2023 performance. Top 25% for Official Performance.

Personal Actions Commentary

Member of the Senate Common Sense Coalition.

Communications Commentary

"We have to find a common ground."

Commitments Commentary

The politician has not affirmed the commitments.

Outstanding Commmon Grounder Commentary

Championed common ground in a focused national column saying, "This Presidents Day, it’s important to remember that much more unites us than divides us as Americans. I call on all of us to do a little less finger-pointing and a little more hand-shaking. Like our Founding Fathers, many of whom later went on to be elected president, we can be principled in our beliefs while also finding consensus with those who have different views. We can do so with civility and respect." Teamed up with Democratic Senator Jon Tester for the Anheuser-Busch Brew Across America Congressional Brewing Competition.

What are the score ranges?

  • Champion
  • Well Above Average
  • Somewhat Above Average
  • Average
  • Somewhat Below Average
  • Well Below Average

Insufficient Data to Score

For candidates without congressional or gubernatorial service, Official Performance points are a predictive estimate using statistical modeling.

Personal Actions points can be provisionally awarded for a commitment to take the action(s) within the first six months of office, if elected.

Maverick Matrix for Mike Rounds

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