Kelly Morrison, a Democrat and former state senator from Wayzata, won Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District on Tuesday, defeating Republican and former Washington County District Judge Tad Jude, according to unofficial results from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office.
Morrison’s victory fills the two-year seat vacated by Dean Phillips, who left to pursue a presidential bid.
With all 230 precincts reporting, Morrison had 240,208 votes, or 58.43%, while Jude had 170,426 votes, or 41.45%. There were 503 write-in votes.
Morrison’s background as an OB-GYN and her legislative experience shaped a campaign focused on healthcare, reproductive rights, and environmental policy. Representing communities across the western Minneapolis suburbs, including Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Bloomington, the 3rd District has leaned Democratic in recent years, a trend Morrison’s win reinforces.
Morrison resigned from her state Senate seat in June 2024 to focus on her congressional run.
While campaigning, Morrison highlighted her leadership on abortion rights in the Minnesota Senate, whereas Jude, an abortion opponent during his time as a legislator, voiced support for the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which ended nationwide abortion rights. By September, Morrison had raised just over $2 million, while Jude had raised just under $300,000.
Jude, a former judge and Maple Grove state legislator, campaigned on conservative values, emphasizing fiscal discipline and public safety to appeal to the district’s conservative base.
He also previously served on the Hennepin County Board and in both chambers of the state Legislature, where, in 1972 at age 20, he became the youngest member ever elected to the House.
The Minnesota State Canvassing Board will meet on Nov. 21 to officially certify the election results.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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