MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell Announces Candidacy for Minnesota Governor

Mike Lindell, the founder and CEO of MyPillow, has officially announced his candidacy for the 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial race as a Republican, aiming to challenge incumbent Democratic Governor Tim Walz. Lindell, 64, is a well-known supporter of former President Donald Trump and has been involved in promoting claims of election fraud related to the 2020 presidential election.

In his campaign announcement, Lindell emphasized his business experience and personal journey of overcoming addiction. He outlined key priorities including addressing addiction and homelessness, combating government fraud, and advocating for changes to the state's voting systems. Lindell has been a vocal critic of electronic voting machines and supports a shift to hand-counted ballots, despite Minnesota's current use of paper ballots and tabulators.

The Republican primary field is becoming increasingly crowded, with other declared candidates such as State House Speaker Lisa Demuth, former state senator and 2022 gubernatorial nominee Scott Jensen, State Representative Kristin Robbins, and healthcare executive Kendall Qualls. Governor Walz, seeking a third term, has highlighted his administration's efforts on issues like gun violence and progressive legislative achievements. He has also faced criticism over his handling of events such as the George Floyd protests and COVID-19-related fraud cases.

Lindell's entry into the race adds a high-profile figure to the Republican lineup, bringing national attention to the Minnesota gubernatorial election. His campaign is expected to focus on themes of election integrity and conservative values, resonating with a segment of the Republican base.