Mike Lindell, founder and CEO of MyPillow, has publicly announced his bid to become Minnesota’s governor in 2026, running as a Republican against incumbent Tim Walz.
Lindell, 64, had filed initial paperwork last week signaling a possible run, but he clarified at that time that a final decision hadn’t been reached. On Thursday, he confirmed his entry into the race.
“After prayerful consideration and hearing from so many of you across our great state, I’ve decided to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race,” Lindell said in a social media post on Thursday. “I’m still standing, and I’ll stand for you.”
He will seek the Republican nomination in a crowded field that includes notable figures and allies of former President Trump. Walz, a Democrat, is pursuing a historic third four-year term.
In response to Lindell’s announcement, Walz commented, “We’ve seen what happens when we elect a con man to the highest office in America. We can’t let it happen here in Minnesota.”
Besides Lindell, other Republican contenders include state House Speaker Lisa Demuth (who has announced a running mate), and former candidate Scott Jensen, who previously challenged Walz in 2022. Additional Republican entrants include Minnesota Representative Kristin Robbins, Kendall Qualls, and defense attorney Chris Madel.
Lindell has already launched a campaign website outlining his priorities: combating fraud, addressing what he calls failing school systems, reducing rising property taxes, and advocating for stricter immigration controls.
Richard Carlbom, chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, characterized Lindell’s candidacy as emblematic of what he sees as today’s Republican agenda in Minnesota—what he calls conspiracy and chaos—and criticized Lindell’s approach to campaigning as sloppy and loud.
The MyPillow founder’s business has faced multiple legal challenges over the years, including a ruling this year requiring payment of hundreds of thousands of dollars to DHL in a shipping dispute.
Earlier this year, a judge also ruled that Lindell defamed Smartmatic, an election-technology company, after he claimed their machines rigged the 2020 presidential election in favor of Joe Biden. Lindell has made similar unfounded claims against Dominion Voting Systems.
Minnesota has a history of political outsiders succeeding in statewide races, such as Jesse Ventura’s 1998 victory, though Republicans have not won a statewide contest there for two decades as the state trends increasingly blue.
Reporting contributed by Jacob Rosen and Caroline Cummings.
