Mike Lindell, founder of MyPillow and a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, has officially launched a campaign for governor of Minnesota.
Lindell — who became a familiar face in the 2010s thanks to his high-energy MyPillow infomercials — formally entered the 2026 gubernatorial race on Thursday, Dec. 11, according to reports from The Associated Press and The New York Times.
If he wins the Republican nomination, Lindell will face Democratic incumbent Gov. Tim Walz, a former vice presidential candidate, in the 2026 midterm election.
The 64-year-old businessman announced his candidacy at a press conference held at the MyPillow factory in Shakopee, a suburb of Minneapolis, per AP. The event was streamed live on his conservative media outlet, Lindell TV.
During his announcement, Lindell claimed that political opponents had targeted both him and his company because of his steadfast support for Trump, 79.
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“It didn’t work. I’m still standing. MyPillow is still standing,” Lindell said. “And now I want you to know that I will stand for you as governor of the state of Minnesota.”
Lindell has been a prominent promoter of baseless claims that U.S. voting machines are rigged and have affected election outcomes — allegations that led Dominion Voting Systems to file a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit against him.
In backing Trump, Lindell has repeatedly rejected the certified results of the 2020 presidential election and has publicly said he believes God specifically chose Trump to serve as president.
Before MyPillow took off in 2009, Lindell struggled to find success with several ventures, including bars, restaurants and a carpet cleaning business. He has openly discussed his past substance abuse, telling CNBC in 2017 that he endured “years of crack addiction.”
His life changed when late-night infomercials for MyPillow turned the company into a major success and made him a multimillionaire.
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Speaking to The New York Times, Lindell said his campaign platform will emphasize reducing crime in urban areas, cracking down on illegal immigration and expanding access to resources for people battling addiction.
He also said he has no intention of backing away from his election fraud allegations and indicated that those claims will remain a central theme of his campaign.
Other Republicans vying for the party’s nomination in the May 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial primary include State Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth; former State Senator and 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee Scott Jensen; State Representative Kristin Robbins; and Minnesota attorney Chris Madell.
