Republican Tad Jude announced his candidacy for Minnesota secretary of state in 2026 on Friday.
Republican Tad Jude, center, will run for Minnesota secretary of state next year. In this Nov. 5, 2024 photo, Tad Jude is seen at the 2024 Minnesota GOP Election Party held at Radisson Blu in Bloomington. (Matt Blewett / Special to Pioneer Press)
Jude, 73, of Maple Grove, has previously served as a state representative and senator, as well as 11 years as a district court judge for Minnesota’s 10th Judicial District. He most recently ran for Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District against now-Rep. Kelly Morrison in 2024.
“After many years of service to our great state, I’m stepping forward to protect the integrity of our elections,” Jude said in a Friday press release. “Minnesotans deserve a Secretary of State who values transparency and accountability. It’s time to end the doubts plaguing our election system and rebuild confidence in every vote cast.”
Jude also ran for attorney general in 2022 but lost the Republican nomination to Jim Schultz.
No other candidates have officially announced their bid for the secretary of state’s office, which is now occupied by 11-year incumbent Steve Simon.
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