Mike Lindell, the founder and CEO of MyPillow, has officially declared his candidacy for the position of Minnesota governor in the 2026 elections, challenging incumbent Governor Tim Walz. The announcement follows Lindell’s filing of the necessary paperwork last week, after which he indicated he was still contemplating a run.
In a message shared on social media, Lindell expressed his decision to enter the gubernatorial race after extensive prayer and consultations with supporters across Minnesota. “I’m still standing and I’ll stand for you,” he proclaimed, emphasizing his commitment to the constituents.
Running as a Republican, Lindell will join a growing list of candidates looking to unseat Governor Walz, a Democrat seeking a historic third consecutive term. Notable figures already in the race include Lisa Demuth, the state House Republican speaker, and Scott Jensen, who previously ran against Walz in the 2022 midterms. Other Republican contenders include Minnesota Rep. Kristin Robbins, Kendall Qualls, and defense attorney Chris Madel.
Lindell has launched a campaign website that outlines his principal objectives, including putting an end to election fraud, revamping the state’s education system, addressing escalating property taxes, and enforcing stricter immigration policies.
Lindell’s business, MyPillow, has faced numerous legal challenges in recent years, including a significant ruling earlier this year requiring him to compensate the shipping company DHL. In another case, a judge deemed that Lindell defamed Smartmatic, a voting technology company, by promoting unsubstantiated claims regarding the integrity of their machines used in the 2020 presidential election. Similar allegations were made against Dominion Voting Systems.
Despite Minnesota’s recent political trends leaning toward the Democratic Party, it has a track record of political outsiders succeeding in statewide elections. The most memorable case was former Governor Jesse Ventura’s unexpected victory in 1998, although it has been two decades since a Republican has secured a statewide win in the increasingly blue state.
This developing story will continue to unfold as the 2026 election approaches.
