Tad Jude | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Jude in 1981 | |
| Judge ofthe Minnesota 10th Judicial District | |
| In office January 3, 2011 – December 31, 2021 | |
| Member of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners | |
| In office January 3, 1989 – January 5, 1993 | |
| Member of theMinnesota Senate from the 48th district | |
| In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1989 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Ashbach |
| Succeeded by | Pat McGowan |
| Member of theMinnesota House of Representatives from the 42A district | |
| In office January 2, 1973 – January 4, 1983 | |
| Preceded by | John Wingard |
| Succeeded by | Sidney Pauly |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1951-12-13)December 13, 1951 (age 74) St. Cloud, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Party | Republican (since 1992) |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic (until 1992) |
| Spouse | |
| Parent | Victor N. Jude (father) |
| Relatives | James Jude (uncle) |
| Alma mater | St. Thomas College (BA) William Mitchell College of Law (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1971–1977 |
| Unit | United States Army Reserves |
Thaddeus Victor Jude (born December 13, 1951) is an AmericanRepublican politician and lawyer fromMinnesota. Jude was a candidate in the2022 Minnesota Attorney General election,[1] but withdrew and endorsed Jim Schultz on May 13, 2022, after being eliminated at the convention.[2] He subsequently ran forHennepin County Attorney that same year, finishing 4th in the primary.
First elected to office in 1972, Jude has previously served in theMinnesota House of Representatives and in theMinnesota Senate. He also served on theHennepin County Board of Commissioners and was a Minnesota District Court Judge.[3]
Jude ran forMinnesota's 3rd congressional district in 2024.[4] He lost the election toKelly Morrison. In September 2025, Jude announced his candidacy forMinnesota Secretary of State in2026.
Thaddeus Victor Jude was born on December 13, 1951, inSt. Cloud, Minnesota. He is the oldest of 11 children of Ruth (Huisentruit) Jude andVictor N. Jude. He served in theUnited States Army Reserves from 1971 to 1977.[5] Jude went to theUniversity of St. Thomas andWilliam Mitchell College of Law.[6] He is a nephew of doctorJames Jude, who was one of the developers ofcardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).[7][8]
Jude was the youngest person ever elected to theMinnesota Legislature, elected at the age of 20 when he won election in 1972 and was sworn in at the age of 21 the following January. His father,Victor N. Jude, also served in the Minnesota Legislature. In1994, Jude ran forMinnesota's 6th congressional district. However, he lost the election toBill Luther by 0.24%.[9] He ran again in1996, but lost to Luther by 11.82%.[10] Jude was elected District Court Judge to Minnesota's 10th Judicial District in 2010, from a field of 24 candidates. He was reelected without an opponent in 2016. He served as a judge on Minnesota's 10th Judicial District Court.[11]
Jude is a 1977 graduate ofWilliam Mitchell College of Law. His employment includes legal work at the law firms of Jude and Guenningsman; Magsam and Harwig; and Trimble and Associates. He practiced workers' compensation law for the Special Compensation Fund. As a Minnesota legislator, he was chair of the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Civil Justice division. He has served on the Hennepin County Law Library Board and as president of the Richard T. Oakes Inn of Court. His judicial education includes Law and Economics,[clarification needed]Antonin Scalia Law School, and George Mason University.
| Minnesota House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theMinnesota House of Representatives from the 42A district 1973–1983 | Succeeded by |
| Minnesota Senate | ||
| Preceded by | Member of theMinnesota Senate from the 48th district 1983–1989 | Succeeded by Pat McGowan |