MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell Files for Minnesota Governor Run—With a Big Caveat

Mike Lindell, the MyPillow CEO famous for his infomercials and Trump rallies, surprised a lot of people by filing paperwork Wednesday to run for Minnesota governor in 2026. State records from the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board show he registered a “Mike Lindell for Governor” committee, which lets him start raising money. But Lindell himself told the Minnesota Star Tribune he’s not 100% committed yet—he plans to decide and announce on December 11.

Quick Verification from State Records

CNN first reported the filing, backed by the board’s website. CBS Minnesota confirmed the same details in state records, noting Lindell called them to say he’s close to deciding but filed early just in case. Newsweek pointed out the committee’s website is still under construction. KSTP and Mediaite also verified the move lists him as a Republican candidate.

Who Is Lindell, Anyway?

If you don’t know him from pillows, you probably remember Lindell from pushing hard that the 2020 election was stolen—claims courts have shot down. He’s faced big legal hits: a federal jury ordered him to pay $2.3 million to a Dominion exec for defamation, per Newsweek and CNN. A judge ruled he defamed Smartmatic too, with damages still pending. Lindell denies it all and keeps talking about scrapping voting machines. His company’s in Chaska, Minnesota, and he lost a court fight with DHL over $780,000, CBS noted.

Crowded Field Against Tim Walz

Lindell would challenge Democrat Tim Walz, who’s up for a third term after running as Kamala Harris’s VP pick. The GOP side is packed—here’s who else is in:

State House Speaker Lisa Demuth
2022 nominee Scott Jensen
Attorney Chris Madel
State Rep. Kristin Robbins
Businessman Kendall Qualls

KSTP counts 10 Republicans total. Lindell told Steve Bannon back in October he might jump in, and earlier polling he did showed “secure elections” as voters’ third-biggest worry.

Democrats Fire Back Hard

Reactions were quick and sharp from the left. Democratic Governors Association’s Izzi Levy called Lindell a “sleazy businessman” who’s “extreme” and out of touch, per CNN, Newsweek, and Mediaite. Minnesota DFL Chair Richard Carlbom told KSTP it’s a “clown car” of Trump loyalists, with Lindell as the “proven fraudster.”

Lindell’s no stranger to controversy, but this filing puts his name in a real race. Watch for that December 11 presser to see if he pulls the trigger. Primary’s August 2026.