Mike Lindell Announces Run for Minnesota Governor
In a move that’s sure to stir up the political scene, Mike Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow and a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, declared his candidacy for governor of Minnesota in 2026. He will challenge the current Democratic governor, Tim Walz.
Walz, who was on the losing ticket with Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, is now facing a new opponent. Lindell made his announcement Thursday at his MyPillow factory near Minneapolis, just a week after rumors surfaced about his intent to run.
“I’m officially running for Governor of Minnesota. After prayerful consideration and hearing from so many of you across our great state, I’ve made the decision to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race. I’m still standing and I’ll stand for you,” he stated in a video shared on X.
In his announcement video, Lindell reflected on his personal journey—from overcoming drug addiction and founding MyPillow to his faith journey in 2017 and his meeting with Trump in 2016, which, he feels, put him in the crosshairs of political conflicts.
“Then along came the 2020 election,” he remarked. “And you all know that I have been relentless in making people aware of the fraud in our elections. Others have used legal tactics to undermine my efforts. Our federal government has even targeted me due to my stance on election security.”
Lindell emphasized that despite what he described as attempts by “the left” to silence him, he remains undeterred. He criticized Walz’s administration for what he claims is rampant fraud, estimating it could exceed $8 billion.
“The price of our state government has been inflated due to this fraud,” he observed. “That means families are bearing the burden of excessive government costs, and businesses are struggling due to depleted financial resources.”
Similar to Trump’s approach in politics, Lindell positions himself as a businessman rather than a traditional politician. He seems to suggest that career politicians, possibly referring to Walz, are part of the problem.
“Let me be clear: I don’t want to be like a politician,” he asserted. “It’s professional politicians that have gotten us into all this trouble.”
Lindell also made strong remarks regarding illegal immigration and criminal activity, suggesting that anyone in these situations should face immediate consequences, and advised those interested in raising taxes to “find a different line of work.”
In a swift counter, Walz responded by stating on X, “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.” He also encouraged supporters to contribute to his campaign to keep Lindell out of the governor’s office.
As the gubernatorial race heats up, it’s clear that Lindell’s candidacy will bring its own set of challenges and discussions around issues affecting Minnesotans.
