MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, known for denying the 2020 presidential election, announced Thursday that he is running for governor of Minnesota in 2026, aiming to challenge incumbent Tim Walz.
Lindell, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, declared his campaign from the MyPillow factory floor in Chaska, Minnesota, framing his run as a “public service calling” and emphasizing his personal journey from addiction to recovery. He will seek the Republican nomination in a crowded field that includes House Speaker Lisa Demuth, 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee Scott Jensen, Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel, and business executive Kendall Qualls.
In his announcement, Lindell criticized Walz’s administration, alleging “rampant fraud” and incompetence that he says has cost taxpayers billions. His campaign pledges focus on education reform, lowering property taxes, addressing addiction and public safety, and enforcing immigration laws. He also promised to crack down on what he calls fraud in state programs, presenting himself as a “hands-on executive who solves problems” in contrast to Walz.
Walz responded on social media, calling Lindell a “con man” and warning that Minnesota cannot repeat what he described as past mistakes on the national stage.
Lindell has gained national attention for his outspoken support of Trump, his role in Trump’s 2016 Minnesota campaign, and his legal battles over election claims. He recently lost a $2.3 million defamation case after falsely accusing Dominion Voting Systems of rigging the 2020 election and was found to have defamed Smartmatic with dozens of false statements. These cases have cost him major retail partnerships and left him reportedly $10 million in debt.
Despite these setbacks, Lindell continues to assert that the 2020 election was stolen and vows to “make people aware of the fraud in our elections,” according to his campaign website. Minnesota has not elected a Republican governor in more than 19 years, but Walz’s pursuit of a third consecutive term—unprecedented in state history—presents a high-stakes race for both candidates.