Tad Jude

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Tad Jude
Image of Tad Jude

Candidate, Minnesota Secretary of State

Prior offices
Minnesota 10th District Court Position 3

Elections and appointments
Next election

November 3, 2026

Education

Bachelor's

University of St. Thomas, 1972

Law

William Mitchell College of Law, 1977

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army Reserve

Years of service

1971 - 1977

Personal
Birthplace
St. Cloud, Minn.
Profession
Judge
Contact

Tad Jude (Republican Party) is running for election for Minnesota Secretary of State. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]

Jude was a judge for Position 3 of the Minnesota Tenth Judicial District. He assumed office on January 3, 2011. He left office on December 31, 2021.

Biography

Tad Jude was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1971 to 1977. Jude earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Saint Thomas in 1972 and a law degree from the William Mitchell College of Law in 1977. His career experience includes working as an attorney, judge, and small business owner. As of 2024, Jude was affiliated with American Legion Post 303, Action for Children, the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association, and the county historical society.[1]

Elections

2026

See also: Minnesota Secretary of State election, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for Minnesota Secretary of State

Tad Jude is running in the general election for Minnesota Secretary of State on November 3, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Tad Jude
Tad Jude (R)

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Endorsements

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2024

See also: Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2024

Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2024 (August 13 Republican primary)

Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District election, 2024 (August 13 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Minnesota District 3

Kelly Morrison defeated Tad Jude in the general election for U.S. House Minnesota District 3 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Kelly Morrison
Kelly Morrison (D)
 
58.4
 
240,209
Image of Tad Jude
Tad Jude (R) Candidate Connection
 
41.5
 
170,427
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
504

Total votes: 411,140
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Kelly Morrison advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Tad Jude advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Minnesota District 3.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

To view Jude's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Jude in this election.

Pledges

Jude signed the following pledges.

  • U.S. Term Limits

2022

Hennepin County Attorney

See also: Municipal elections in Hennepin County, Minnesota (2022)

General election

General election for Hennepin County Attorney

Mary Moriarty defeated Martha Holton Dimick in the general election for Hennepin County Attorney on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Mary Moriarty (Nonpartisan)
 
57.6
 
254,418
Image of Martha Holton Dimick
Martha Holton Dimick (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
41.8
 
184,739
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.6
 
2,589

Total votes: 441,746
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Hennepin County Attorney

The following candidates ran in the primary for Hennepin County Attorney on August 9, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Mary Moriarty (Nonpartisan)
 
36.4
 
62,336
Image of Martha Holton Dimick
Martha Holton Dimick (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
17.9
 
30,668
Image of Ryan Winkler
Ryan Winkler (Nonpartisan)
 
16.3
 
27,924
Image of Tad Jude
Tad Jude (Nonpartisan)
 
10.6
 
18,142
Paul Ostrow (Nonpartisan)
 
8.5
 
14,500
Saraswati Singh (Nonpartisan)
 
7.2
 
12,280
Jarvis Jones (Nonpartisan)
 
3.3
 
5,586

Total votes: 171,436
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Attorney General of Minnesota

See also: Minnesota Attorney General election, 2022

General election

General election for Attorney General of Minnesota

Incumbent Keith Ellison defeated Jim Schultz and Laurice Anderson in the general election for Attorney General of Minnesota on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Keith Ellison
Keith Ellison (D)
 
50.4
 
1,254,371
Image of Jim Schultz
Jim Schultz (R)
 
49.5
 
1,233,556
Laurice Anderson (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
12
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
2,362

Total votes: 2,490,301
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Attorney General of Minnesota

Incumbent Keith Ellison defeated Bill Dahn in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Minnesota on August 9, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Keith Ellison
Keith Ellison
 
89.3
 
378,367
Bill Dahn
 
10.7
 
45,110

Total votes: 423,477
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Attorney General of Minnesota

Jim Schultz defeated Doug Wardlow and Sharon Anderson in the Republican primary for Attorney General of Minnesota on August 9, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jim Schultz
Jim Schultz
 
52.5
 
163,944
Image of Doug Wardlow
Doug Wardlow Candidate Connection
 
34.8
 
108,537
Image of Sharon Anderson
Sharon Anderson
 
12.7
 
39,723

Total votes: 312,204
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2016

See also: Minnesota local trial court judicial elections, 2016

Minnesota held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. A primary election occurred on August 9, 2016. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 31, 2016.[2] Incumbent Tad Jude ran unopposed in the Minnesota 10th District, Position 3 general election.[3]

Minnesota 10th District, Position 3, General Election, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Tad Jude Incumbent (unopposed) 100.00% 270,181
Total Votes 270,181
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State, "Unofficial Results Tuesday, November 8, 2016: Results for All Judicial Races," accessed November 9, 2016

2010

See also: Minnesota judicial elections, 2010

Jude was one of twenty-four candidates running for the seat. He won with 15.69 percent of the vote.

Selection method

See also: Nonpartisan election of judges

Judges of the Minnesota District Courts are all chosen in nonpartisan elections to serve six-year terms. Candidates compete in primaries, from which the top two contestants advance to the general election. Sitting judges must run for re-election if they wish to serve additional terms. While party affiliation is not designated on the ballot, incumbency is. Sitting judges who reach the age of 70 while in office are allowed to serve until the last day of their birthday month.[4]

The chief judge of each district court is selected by peer vote for a two-year term.[4]

Judges of all courts are required to be "learned in the law" and under 70 years old.[4][5]

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Tad Jude has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Tad Jude, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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2024

Candidate Connection

Tad Jude completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jude's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I have deep roots in the 3rd Congressional District and Minnesota. By background I spent most of my childhood in the town of

Maple Lake as the oldest of 11 children. Often I would accompany my father on his delivery route supplying small businesses throughout central Minnesota, including most of the 3rd District. I was elected to a nonpartisan seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives and served 10 years before being elected to serve 6 years as a DFLer in the Minnesota Senate. The district included much of Northern and Western Hennepin County. After that I was elected to serve a 4 year term on the nonpartisan Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. In 1992 I became a Republican. I served 11 years as nonpartisan 10th District Court Judge presiding over both civil and criminal matters. During the course of this public service I have door knocked over 100,000 doors. My education includes graduating from the University of St. Thomas and a JD from the Wm. Mitchell College of Law. I served in the 523rd Army Security Agency and am currently Commander of Post 303 American Legion. I have been instrumental in founding three small businesses currently in operation. I have been active on the boards of a number of community organizations ranging from Catholic Charities to the NW Suburban YMCA. My family consists of wife Jacelyn, 3 sons, an extended family of 6 children and am a grandparent. In my spare time I enjoy Minnesota canoeing, biking and cross country

skiing.
  • Our economy needs to be fixed. The cost of housing has gone up at least 30% in the past 4 years making it difficult for young

    people to get a start. Food and gas prices are also growing a rate way beyond the raises we get at our jobs. Out of control government spending contributes to the high taxes we all pay. Locally we have seen huge fraud in the Feeding our Future program which was supposed to feed children in need, fraud in the Hero Pay program intended to reward those who served us during the pandemic, and a SW Light Rail fiasco which is 9 years delayed and massively over budget. Yet the Federal Government continues to run endless budget deficits contributing to inflation. Congress needs to fix this mess. I will be

    accountable.
  • Our border needs to be secure. Fentanyl is taking over 100,000 American lives each year. I have seen unaccompanied minor children in my courtroom who have been trafficked over the border with no family to care for them. The asylum process has to be workable for our country and communities. The southern border should have an effective wall, the northern border needs state of the art surveillance, and enhanced ports of entry installed. Those from other countries who earn advanced education should be welcomed and employment needs should be recognized in green/work permit programs. Those who have a felony conviction and are here illegally should be expelled. Our immigration system should recognize the USA as a unique country full of promise.
  • Protect our community and support law enforcement. As a district court Judge for 11 years it has become painfully obvious that we have a serious problem in the Hennepin County criminal justice system. Our county attorney needs to do her job in an impartial, nonpolitical manner. The Ryan Londregan case earlier this year was a failure of the system. This case involved a Minnesota trooper, doing his job as trained. The case should never have been charged. Law enforcement needs to be welcomed in our homes, schools and community. Those in Congress and legislature who call for defunding the police should be thrown out. Criminal Justice should be based upon the facts, law and constitutional rights. I will fight for integrity and justice.
In addition to fixing the economy, fixing the border, and prioritizing public safety, I am passionate about excellence in education;

clean air, water and land; and preserving Social Security/Medicare. Education has been drifting away from teacher and parent
involvement at the cost of reading, writing and STEM achievement of our children. Funding should go with the student into the
classroom. Our family enjoys the beautiful parks, lakes and trails we are blessed with and they need to be properly maintained.
Our Seniors and work force need to be secure in having Social Security and Medicare available when needed. Plans to "beat

Medicare" or tax Social Security should be defeated.
An elected public servant should be honest, ethical, work hard and listen. There are several principles and characteristics I would strive for. One is showing up for work both in Washington DC and in the district. When I served as a Judge I was often the only one available at the Courthouse to meet the needs of citizens. As someone who has personally door knocked over 100,000 doors in this district I appreciate listening to constituents. As your Congressman I will hold town hall meetings, open office hours and continue door knocking. In listening I will stay teachable, be humble, kind and treat everyone with respect. In working on legislation I will share credit, demonstrate tolerance and common sense. Although Congress is partisan in organization, I pledge to reach across the aisle to fashion bipartisan and nonpartisan responses to the problems confronting our country. It is important to build solid relationships with constituents, Congress members and the administration. I will look to other members and constituents for advise in areas they have specialized expertise. I will take responsibility for my work in trying to fashion win/win solutions to problems. My experience in legislating leads me to feel that persistence is needed to attain good results. I would like to me a member of the Main Street caucus and Problem Solvers caucus in the House. Both bring a practical approach in solving issues before Congress. These caucuses are particularly tailored to address the needs of Minnesota's 3rd district.

Former US Senator Hubert H. Humphrey has been quoted as saying: The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.
I would assist my father in delivering supplies to small businesses throughout Central Minnesota. I was also a paperboy delivering the news to subscribers early in the morning.
Support term limits. I have never served over 11 years in an elected office. New energy and ideas are important in Congress.
Yes. Win/win solutions are possible. I value being a problem solver.
Waste of taxpayer dollars should be investigated. When government programs fail to meet the needs they should be examined. I support the independent Congressional Budget Office and General Accounting Office in their important work. When you have a criminal justice system, such as we have in Hennepin County, where the County Attorney has misused her office at the expense of crime victims there should be an inquiry. It is the proper role of Congress to hold the members and other branches of Government accountable to the taxpayer.
Hundreds have endorsed me, many of which are listed on my website.
Absolutely necessary. We have had wasted taxpayer money on SW Light Rail, which was built without proper management. Outright fraud in programs to feed needy children and reward Front Line workers during the pandemic. I support openness in Government with getting back to regular Congressional process. Limited issue bills with open hearings and recorded votes.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Jude’s campaign website stated the following:

TAD ON THE ISSUES

Together, we can make life more affordable & restore economic security

Together, we can keep our communities safe and strong
We can build a better Minnsota

WORKING TOGETHER


ECONOMY: Make Minnesota Affordable Again

Rising costs have made life unaffordable for too many Minnesotans. In Congress, my top priority will be creating an economy that works for all Minnesotans.

My priorities:
• Cut wasteful federal spending
• Increase access to clean and affordable energy
• Reduce taxes
• Create high-paying jobs

IMMIGRATION: Safe and Strong Communities

Our immigration system must put the safety and welfare of American families first. Under the current open-border policies, human trafficking is flourishing, fentanyl is killing young adults, and public institutions like hospitals, schools, and shelters are stressed and strained.

My priorities:
• Secure the Northern and Southern Borders
• Update our immigration system to prioritize safety and security -Support immigration reform that takes into account burden to taxpayers, need for workers and humanitarian goals

SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE: Protect our Seniors

These tough economic times are particularly challenging for seniors and people living on fixed incomes. Seniors must know they can rely on Social Security and access high-quality health care through Medicare.

My priorities:
• Eliminate taxes on Social Security
• Safeguard Social Security Benefits
• Preserve access to doctors and high-quality health care under Medicare

 ENVIRONMENT: Protect Our Natural Resources & Green Spaces

The Third District has many beautiful lakes and green spaces that should be enjoyed and preserved. I have a long history of protecting the environment as a legislator and Hennepin County Commissioner.

My priorities:
 • Support new parks and trails while working to preserve the existing system
 • Work to ensure clean air and water are available to all
 • Support the development of clean, reliable, and affordable energy sources

CRIME: Support Law Enforcement & Create Safer Neighborhoods

Minnesota, particularly the Twin Cities, has paid an enormous price for the anti-police rhetoric that has plagued our cities in recent years. One of the best investments we can make in our communities is to give our police the support and respect they need along with a fair and impartial criminal justice system.

My priorities:
• Increase penalties for those who harm law enforcement officers
• Ensure officers are granted proper immunity for actions in their official capacity
• Support early intervention for our youth

VETERANS: Support Our Heroes

As a veteran, I understand and will advocate for the best interests of those who serve our country. Keeping our promises to our veterans will always be a top priority.

My priorities:
• Ensure a robust VA Health System that provides timely, high-quality care
• Increase access to housing, mental health services, and drug addiction treatment
• Support programs that provide education, employment, and transition services for people leaving the military

HEALTHCARE: High-Quality Care, Affordable Coverage

The United States has some of the world's highest healthcare costs, yet the nation's health lags behind that of many Western countries. It is time to modernize our system and make it more affordable for all Americans.

My priorities:
•Update health care system reflect and report actual costs
• Increase access to information on preventative care and treatment options
• Increase access and awareness of mental health and addiction treatment

EDUCATION: Invest in our Future

Excellence in education is the ultimate goal, with focus on core curriculum. We need greater student success, better options for kids and parents, and increased support for teachers and staff.

My priorities:
• Increase school choice options for families
• Improve school safety, including investments in school resource officers and facility improvements
• Help lower the cost of college and expand access to the trade and other skills-based programs
• Increase local control working together with parents and teachers, not Federal bureaucrats

ISRAEL: Support Our Allies

Israel has been the United States reliable strategic partner for over half a century. Sadly, the October 7th attack on Israel significantly increased tensions in the Middle East, and we are seeing those tensions spill over into the United States. I stand against antisemitism and support Israel’s right to defend itself.

My priorities:
• Work to return US citizens held hostage by Hamas
• Support Israel's right to exist and defend itself
• Stand against antisemitism here at home[6]

—Tad Jude’s campaign website (2024)[7]

2022

Hennepin County Attorney

Tad Jude did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Attorney General of Minnesota

Tad Jude did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Tad Jude campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* U.S. House Minnesota District 3Lost general$380,144 $372,979
Grand total$380,144 $372,979
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also


External links

Footnotes