Jerod Tufte

Background

Tufte is a North Dakota Supreme Court justice seeking a second 10-year term in 2026. Before joining the court, he served as Kidder County State’s Attorney, legal counsel to Governor Jack Dalrymple, and a district court judge; he has served on the Supreme Court since January 2017.

Sources: Tufte for Supreme Court, The Ballot Brief

What the candidate has said

Statements are attributed to the linked sources.

• Judicial role

  Tufte said judges should “apply the law, don’t make policy,” describing his view of the court’s role during his 2026 reelection campaign.

  WDAY Radio Now

• Legal access

  He has proposed exploring legal paraprofessionals to help address the state’s attorney shortage, including assistance with routine matters such as evictions and basic civil filings.

  KFGO