Former Dalrymple Counsel Jerod Tufte To Run For The State Supreme Court

North Dakota will have an open race for the state Supreme Court for the first time in 24 years, thanks to current Justice Dale Sandstrom announcing that he’s stepping down at the end of his current 10-year term, and now there is one announced candidate for that race. Jerod Tufte, who was just appointed by Governor Jack Dalrymple to a judgeship in the Southeast Judicial District last year, announced today that he’s running.

You can read Tufte’s biography here.

He actually served as legal counsel and a senior policy adviser to Dalrymple starting in 2011 until his appointment to his current post in July of last year. He has served in the North Dakota National Guard since 2008, and was the Kidder County State’s Attorney from 2005 to 2011 in addition to running a private law practice.

Tufte’s appointment to the Southeast Judicial District was part of Dalrymple’s record-setting 17 judicial appointments during his term in office. Record setting because that’s more judicial appointments than any other governor in state history.

If he’s elected this year I imagine whoever succeeds Dalrymple will appoint Tufte’s replacement because I believe he doesn’t have to resign his current position to run for the Supreme Court.

Also, Tufte once described me as Sauron on Twitter, for what that’s worth, but he was kidding. I think.