CandidateRepublican

Tad Jude

Secretary of State

2026 Minnesota Secretary of State — General Election · November 3, 2026

Published evidence-backed profile

Official filing status and all displayed profile fields are shown with retained source evidence. Final ballot placement remains explicitly pending.

Last reviewed September 16, 2026

Overview

Current race
2026 Minnesota Secretary of State — General Election on November 3, 2026
Official candidacy
Secretary of State · Republican · Candidate
VerifiedOfficial records: Minnesota Secretary of State
Identity match
Identity verified in official records

Policy statements from campaign-controlled sources are labeled candidate positions; they are not independently presented as proven outcomes.

View exact official filing textExact evidence retained

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

0332;Tad Jude;0332;Secretary of State;88;R;PRIVATE;; ;;P.O. BOX 1881;MAPLE GROVE;MN;55311;6124474462;tadjude.com;[email protected];;;

Certified August 18, 2026 primary nominee: Tad Jude

Votes: 229804; Percent: 60.25%

The Minnesota State Canvassing Board certified the August 11, 2026 State Primary results on August 18, 2026.

Official and campaign contacts

Only contact details published in official filing records, FEC filings, or a verified candidate-owned source with retained exact evidence appear here.

Publication here means only that the contact detail appeared in the cited filing. It is not an endorsement, and older filings may remain visible until an amended official record is captured.

Experience

Verified records and candidate-provided claims are labeled separately.

Candidate biography

Source-published biography

Throughout his career in public service Tad Jude has championed lower taxes, smaller government, clean air and water, rails to trails, and stronger law enforcement for our communities. Having entered public service in 1972, Jude has deep roots in the community. Jude first served in the Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate. He later served on the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners and most recently has been a Minnesota District Court Judge role for 11 years.

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Throughout his career in public service Tad Jude has championed lower taxes, smaller government, clean air and water, rails to trails, and stronger law enforcement for our communities. Having entered public service in 1972, Jude has deep roots in the community. Jude first served in the Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate. He later served on the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners and most recently has been a Minnesota District Court Judge role for 11 years.

Candidate biography

Source-published biography

Jude is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas and earned his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in 1977. He chaired the full House Judiciary Committee.

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Jude is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas and earned his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in 1977. He chaired the full House Judiciary Committee.

Candidate biography

Source-published biography

Born and raised in Minnesota, Jude hails from Maple Lake; he is the oldest of the 11 children born to Ruth (Huisentruit) Jude and Victor N. Jude. As a child, Jude often accompanied his father in delivering supplies to countless small businesses throughout Central Minnesota. He is the nephew of Dr. James Jude, a key figure in the development of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

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Born and raised in Minnesota, Jude hails from Maple Lake; he is the oldest of the 11 children born to Ruth (Huisentruit) Jude and Victor N. Jude. As a child, Jude often accompanied his father in delivering supplies to countless small businesses throughout Central Minnesota. He is the nephew of Dr. James Jude, a key figure in the development of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Candidate biography

Source-published biography

Jude was a member of the 523rd Army Security Agency member in the Army Reserve. Making history as the youngest individual ever elected to the Minnesota Legislature, Jude secured his position at the age of 20 during the 1972 election. In 2010, Jude emerged victorious from a crowd of 24 well-qualified contenders to a position as District Court Judge for Minnesota's 10th Judicial District. This district includes Anoka and seven other counties. Jude was reelected in 2016, running uncontested. Jude has been recognized for his outstanding achievements by being named the MN Chamber of Commerce Citizen Legislator of the Year, a testament to his dedication to serving his constituents and the broader business community. Jude remains deeply engaged in various community organizations and initiatives.

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Jude was a member of the 523rd Army Security Agency member in the Army Reserve. Making history as the youngest individual ever elected to the Minnesota Legislature, Jude secured his position at the age of 20 during the 1972 election. In 2010, Jude emerged victorious from a crowd of 24 well-qualified contenders to a position as District Court Judge for Minnesota's 10th Judicial District. This district includes Anoka and seven other counties. Jude was reelected in 2016, running uncontested. Jude has been recognized for his outstanding achievements by being named the MN Chamber of Commerce Citizen Legislator of the Year, a testament to his dedication to serving his constituents and the broader business community. Jude remains deeply engaged in various community organizations and initiatives.

Candidate biography

Source-published biography

He currently serves as a commander at the American Legion Post 303. He actively participated on the Northwest YMCA Board, Catholic Charities of St. Paul/Minneapolis Board, Senior Community Services Board, and Jodi’s Network of Hope Board. He also sits on the Action for Children/Zambia Board, which is committed to global humanitarian efforts. Jude is a MN Sheriff’s Association Public Safety member. West Hennepin Human Services recognized Jude as a Citizen of Distinction. MADD has recognized his work in the areas of illegal alcohol and drug addiction.

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He currently serves as a commander at the American Legion Post 303. He actively participated on the Northwest YMCA Board, Catholic Charities of St. Paul/Minneapolis Board, Senior Community Services Board, and Jodi’s Network of Hope Board. He also sits on the Action for Children/Zambia Board, which is committed to global humanitarian efforts. Jude is a MN Sheriff’s Association Public Safety member. West Hennepin Human Services recognized Jude as a Citizen of Distinction. MADD has recognized his work in the areas of illegal alcohol and drug addiction.

Service You Can Count On.

Source-published biography

With experience as a legislator, county commissioner, judge, and small business owner, Tad brings the judgment and skills to secure our elections and strengthen Minnesota’s small business economy. He’s spent his career earning trust by upholding the law without bias or political agenda. As Secretary of State, he’ll deliver secure elections, responsive service, and the clear, commonsense transparency Minnesotans deserve.

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The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

With experience as a legislator, county commissioner, judge, and small business owner, Tad brings the judgment and skills to secure our elections and strengthen Minnesota’s small business economy. He’s spent his career earning trust by upholding the law without bias or political agenda. As Secretary of State, he’ll deliver secure elections, responsive service, and the clear, commonsense transparency Minnesotans deserve.

THE CHANGE THAT SAFEGUARDS YOUR VOTE

Candidate-stated

Throughout his career in public service Tad Jude has championed lower taxes, smaller government, clean air and water, rails to trails, and stronger law enforcement for our communities.

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The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

Throughout his career in public service Tad Jude has championed lower taxes, smaller government, clean air and water, rails to trails, and stronger law enforcement for our communities.

Positions and priorities

A position shows what the candidate said—not FactVote's endorsement.

Each summary is supported by the candidate's own words from a campaign source, direct candidate response, or official primary record retained with the profile.

THE CHANGE THAT SAFEGUARDS YOUR VOTE

Candidate position

We can restore trust in our elections and rebuild integrity.

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We can restore trust in our elections and rebuild integrity.

Service You Can Count On.

Candidate position

Minnesotans deserve elections that are free, fair, and secure, and confidence that their vote truly matters. Our democracy depends on it. It’s time to make Minnesota’s elections the gold standard in the nation by delivering the accessibility, accuracy, and accountability voters deserve.

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Minnesotans deserve elections that are free, fair, and secure, and confidence that their vote truly matters. Our democracy depends on it. It’s time to make Minnesota’s elections the gold standard in the nation by delivering the accessibility, accuracy, and accountability voters deserve.

Candidate statement

Candidate position

Secure policing and safe shelter measures for Metro Transit.

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Secure policing and safe shelter measures for Metro Transit.

THE CHANGE THAT SAFEGUARDS YOUR VOTE

Candidate position

We can protect voter data and strengthen the Safe at Home program.

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We can protect voter data and strengthen the Safe at Home program.

Service You Can Count On.

Candidate position

The Secretary of State’s office serves more than just voters. Small businesses, nonprofits, and survivors of domestic abuse rely on it for essential services, from business filings to the Safe at Home program, which protects victims by keeping their addresses confidential. Minnesotans need to know they can count on this office for timely, trustworthy, and effective support.

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The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

The Secretary of State’s office serves more than just voters. Small businesses, nonprofits, and survivors of domestic abuse rely on it for essential services, from business filings to the Safe at Home program, which protects victims by keeping their addresses confidential. Minnesotans need to know they can count on this office for timely, trustworthy, and effective support.

Service You Can Count On.

Candidate position

With experience as a legislator, county commissioner, judge, and small business owner, Tad brings the judgment and skills to secure our elections and strengthen Minnesota’s small business economy. He’s spent his career earning trust by upholding the law without bias or political agenda. As Secretary of State, he’ll deliver secure elections, responsive service, and the clear, commonsense transparency Minnesotans deserve.

Read exact supporting textExact evidence retained

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

With experience as a legislator, county commissioner, judge, and small business owner, Tad brings the judgment and skills to secure our elections and strengthen Minnesota’s small business economy. He’s spent his career earning trust by upholding the law without bias or political agenda. As Secretary of State, he’ll deliver secure elections, responsive service, and the clear, commonsense transparency Minnesotans deserve.

Require Photo Identification to Vote

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Policy

Require voters to present photo identification.

  • Use identification as an election-verification measure.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Tad Jude campaign

Ensure Only U.S. Citizens Vote

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Policy

Use election administration to ensure only eligible U.S. citizens vote.

  • Verify voter eligibility.
  • Protect lawful participation.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Tad Jude campaign

Clean Voter Rolls with Government Partners

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Policy

Work with local, state, and federal partners to maintain accurate voter rolls.

  • Share lawful information across levels of government.
  • Remove ineligible or outdated records under applicable rules.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Tad Jude campaign

Restore the Traditional Minnesota Flag by Public Vote

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Policy

Hold a public vote on restoring Minnesota’s traditional state flag.

  • Give voters the final decision on the flag.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Tad Jude campaign

Prevent Fraud in Public Programs

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Use the Secretary of State’s platform and partnerships to prevent fraud in public programs.

  • Treat program integrity as a statewide priority.
  • Coordinate where the office has lawful authority.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Tad Jude campaign

Deliver Accessible, Accurate, and Accountable Elections

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Make Minnesota elections accessible, accurate, secure, and accountable.

  • Protect voter confidence.
  • Deliver transparent election administration.
  • Apply the law without partisan bias.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Tad Jude campaign

Improve Business Filings and Safe at Home Services

Candidate position
FactVote summary · Goal / Priority

Provide timely and trustworthy business-filing, nonprofit, and Safe at Home services.

  • Support small businesses and nonprofits.
  • Protect domestic-abuse survivors’ addresses.
  • Improve responsiveness of Secretary of State services.
Open cited sourceSource link retained

No verbatim excerpt is retained for this summary. Read the cited source for the original wording.

Tad Jude campaign

Public record

Executive public-record methodology

Executive public-record methodology

An executive record will attach only from official orders, directives, vetoes, signed actions, legal filings, or direct official statements that explicitly attribute the action to this person. Agency outcomes and events during an administration are not inferred as personal actions.

Campaign finance

Official filings may be amended after publication.

FEC candidate totals for the current cycle.

Total receipts
Not available
Total disbursements
Not available
Cash on hand
Not available
Committee debt
Not available
Read exact FEC summary textExact evidence retained

The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.

0332;Tad Jude;0332;Secretary of State;88;R;PRIVATE;; ;;P.O. BOX 1881;MAPLE GROVE;MN;55311;6124474462;tadjude.com;[email protected];;;

Unofficial August 11, 2026 primary result: Tad Jude

Votes: 229804; Percent: 60.25%

Results remain unofficial until the Minnesota State Canvassing Board certifies them on August 18, 2026.

Open Federal Election Commission record ↗

Research boundary

Claims that did not clear the publication standard remain visibly excluded.

Complete public-action archive

Not published

Reason: NO_STABLE_ELIGIBLE_PUBLIC_RECORD_IDENTITY_ATTACHED

Name-only matches and candidate-stated prior service never attach another person's records.

Sources

Every profile claim points back to retained source evidence.

  1. Election record

    2026 Minnesota election record — Tad Jude

    Minnesota Secretary of State

    Open Minnesota Secretary of State
  2. Candidate-owned primary source

    Tad Jude — candidate-owned primary source 1

    Tad Jude campaign

    Open Tad Jude campaign

    Link checked September 15, 2026.

  3. Candidate-owned primary source

    Tad Jude — candidate-owned primary source 2

    Tad Jude campaign

    Open Tad Jude campaign

    Link checked September 15, 2026.

  4. GOVERNMENT_CAMPAIGN_FINANCE_SEARCH

    Tad Jude — Minnesota CFB candidate-report viewer

    Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board

    Open Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board
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