Tad Jude (GOP): 2024 Election Guide
Welcome to WCCO.com's 2024 Election Guide!
We reached out to Minnesota major party candidates running in U.S. congressional races this fall. Candidates were asked to provide answers to a set of political questions of high importance to voters.
Minnesota 3rd Congressional District candidate Tad Jude submitted her answers to the questionnaire below.
This is not a paid advertisement nor does WCCO endorse any candidate.
What do you believe are the most pressing issues facing constituents served by the office you are seeking?
The rising cost of living is the number one issue I've heard about from people in the district. We need to make Minnesota affordable again. Food prices have risen over 20% in the last four years, along with steep increases in the prices of housing, fuel, transportation, taxes, and insurance costs. Just about everything we need to live costs more today than it did a few years ago, and people are struggling to make ends meet.
Immigration is also a top issue. Under the current open-border policies, we've lost control over the security of our country. We need to secure our borders and then tackle reforming our immigration system. Finally, I will focus on public safety because I want our kids to grow up in safe communities.
What are the three big goals or policies you hope to accomplish or pass during your time in office?
I am running for Congress because I want to solve problems for Minnesotans and all Americans. I've put together the Make Minnesota Affordable Again plan that includes four policy changes economists agree will bring down prices and reboot the economy, including: 1) cutting wasteful government spending, 2) increasing access to clean and affordable energy, 3) reducing taxes, and 4) creating an environment that encourages the creation of high-paying jobs.
We also need to secure our borders and improve public safety. These issues are about helping people regain a sense of security, whether it's economic security or ensuring that our cities and neighborhoods are thriving and safe.
Do you think Congress should pass a federal law on abortion rights, and what should it look like?
The Supreme Court recently ruled in Dobbs v. Jackson that rules and regulations surrounding abortion should be "returned to the people and their elected representatives," making abortion an issue for state legislatures. I agree with Dobbs. While I don't share the values expressed in Minnesota's current abortion law, I respect the right of the people in Minnesota to make this decision. Minnesota law is settled.
According to polls, illegal crossings at the southern border and immigration policy are consistently ranked as a top issue for Americans. What do you propose to address these concerns?
Our current immigration system is broken. An open border has allowed unvetted
people from across the globe to pour into this country, putting American citizens at risk,
and creating an unsustainable financial burden on cities and taxpayers. We must secure our borders by putting the policies back into place that were effective in securing the border under the last administration and then look at broader reform of our immigration system. Fentanyl smuggling and child trafficking need to be stopped. The wall on the Southern Border needs to be completed. The broken asylum process needs to be fixed. Finally, work permits should be granted as necessary.
What would you do to address violent crime and drug use?
Minnesota, particularly the Twin Cities, has paid an enormous price for the current approach to law enforcement that undermines our police officers and fails to enforce existing laws. My experience as a judge made it clear that 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. We need to do more to create effective programs and strategies to intervene in the life of a young person before they get involved in drugs or criminal activity. We need to get illegally obtained guns off the street by enforcing existing laws. Finally, substance abuse treatment and mental health services need to be expanded so they are accessible to all those in need.
Guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens in the United States. What do you believe the federal government should do to reduce gun violence?
It is estimated there are well over a million illegal guns on the streets in America. Removing illegally obtained guns from our communities would significantly reduce gun violence. Gun laws need to be enforced. Further, when you look at the statistics on gun-related deaths and injuries, it is shocking to learn that more gun deaths are related to suicide than crime. There is a real need for increased access to mental health services, and I will work to increase access to this vital care in Minnesota when I am elected.
Do you believe there should be term limits for members of Congress?
I support term limits and have signed a pledge to support limits of three terms for Members of the House and two terms for Members of the Senate. I believe term limits are the best way to ensure that we are governed by citizen legislators.
What economic policies do you propose to address high prices and cost of living?
Our current economy is not working for many Minnesotan families and retirees, who are watching prices rise without seeing a bigger paycheck. We need to reduce inflation by implementing the policies I've outlined in my Make Minnesota Affordable Again plan, such as reining in federal spending, reducing the tax burden for families, those earning tips, and seniors receiving Social Security, and encouraging the creation of high-paying jobs.
What is the government's responsibility when it comes to climate change? How would you address it?
We should be good stewards of the environment and our natural resources. I have a long history of protecting the environment as a legislator and Hennepin County Commissioner. I am committed to supporting the development of clean, reliable, affordable energy solutions. I will also protect green spaces and work to ensure clean air and water.
As government, health care, and financial institutions face increasing threats to cybersecurity, what measures should policymakers and Americans alike take to protect people from these ongoing threats?
Cyber-attacks threaten vital public infrastructure like our electrical grid, water supply, and transportation systems. Like any threat we face as a nation, we must lead with strength. This means focusing on defending our vital infrastructures most vulnerable to attack by investing in necessary tools and technologies to detect and preempt cyberattacks. This must be coordinated among different federal agencies and include relevant state and local authorities.
Who won the 2020 Presidential election? How confident are you in the integrity of our elections?
Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President on January 20, 2021. Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President on January 20, 2016. In both elections, citizens and elected officials made allegations of election interference that impacted the outcome of the election. I accept and recognize the outcome of these and other elections. There are areas where we could improve the system. Whether it's intentionally withholding important information from the public, foreign countries influencing social media, or questionable voter rolls, we've identified areas of concern that should be addressed to make our elections more secure. Since both parties have expressed concerns about election integrity, ensuring the protection of every citizen's vote should be a bipartisan issue.