He was elected in the Rijnmondraad (Council of Rijnmond), a local council of representatives of Rijnmond, in 1965. Two years later, in 1967, he became Minister for Development Cooperation in the Cabinet-De Jong, a post he held till 1971. In 1971, Udink became minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management in the Cabinets-Biesheuvel I and II.