Mike Lindell, Trump-endorsed candidate, not registered to vote in Minnesota

Mike Lindell, the chief executive of MyPillow and a prominent figure in the election-denial movement, acknowledged that he is not currently registered to vote in Minnesota, the state where he is seeking the governorship. Lindell, 65, said his primary concern is the lack of support from the Minnesota Republican Party despite President Trump's endorsement. > "They are saying, ‘Mike Lindell can’t win,’" he said in a Saturday interview, adding that the party’s statement questioning his electability was "disgusting" and an attempt to discredit the endorsement.

Lindell, who is registered to vote in Texas after moving there in 2024, said he returned to Minnesota the following year to run for governor and will register to vote on Election Day, as allowed by state law. He reiterated his intention to vote, stating, "Obviously I’m going to vote."

Since 2021, Lindell has promoted unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged. He has faced multiple defamation lawsuits, including a $2.3 million judgment related to Dominion Voting Systems and a separate ruling involving Smartmatic. Legal costs have contributed to reported financial difficulties, including an alleged $27,000 unpaid property tax bill in Hennepin County, which Lindell said he has recently settled.

Minnesota has not elected a Republican to a statewide office in 20 years. In the August 11 Republican primary, Lindell will compete against businessman Kendall Qualls, who has the state party’s endorsement, and Lisa Demuth, the speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.