MyPillow founder Mike Lindell has announced that he will run for governor of Minnesota in next year’s gubernatorial election. The business magnate and election integrity advocate is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge DFL Gov. Tim Walz.
Standing on the floor of a MyPillow factory, Lindell announced his campaign for governor on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” show. During that appearance, Lindell told his personal story of overcoming drug addiction, creating MyPillow, and giving his life to Jesus Christ.
Before long, he officially threw his hat in the ring to be the 42nd governor of Minnesota.
“I will stand for you as the next governor of the State of Minnesota,” Lindell said. “I will stand for you against the rampant fraud under Governor Walz. I will stand with you against the crime that threatens the safety of you and your families.”
“I will stand for you against government-sponsored theft of your livelihood via exploding property taxes, excessive fees, and unfair sales taxes,” he continued. “I’ll stand for you against unnecessary regulations that strangle the entrepreneurial spirit.”
The MyPillow founder is the best-known Republican thus far to launch a campaign against Walz, who is seeking reelection. In recent years, Lindell has been embroiled in a legal saga related to his accusations of fraud in U.S. elections.
Referencing that saga in his campaign announcement, Lindell said “They tried to take away my voice,” and “they didn’t just attack me, they also went after my employee-owned company, MyPillow. Well, it didn’t work. I’m still standing. MyPillow is still standing.”
Lindell has been a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump for many years and has appeared with the president on numerous occasions. That relationship may give Lindell the inside track on the president’s endorsement; a distinction that could all but decide who the Republican nominee is next year.
The MyPillow founder joins a growing field of Republican candidates that includes House Speaker Lisa Demuth, former State Sen. Scott Jensen, former city councilor Jeff Johnson, former UFC fighter Brad Kohler, businessman Patrick Knight, attorney Chris Madel, Phillip Parish, businessman Kendall Qualls, and State Rep. Kristin Robbins.
Whoever wins the GOP nomination for governor will face an uphill battle. No Republican has won the governorship since Tim Pawlenty won reelection to the office in 2006 by less than one point. In 2022, Jensen lost to Walz by roughly 8 points.
Walz announced earlier this year that he will seek an unprecedented third consecutive four-year term. Only Rudy Perpich has previously attempted this feat, but he went on to lose the 1990 gubernatorial election to Arne Carlson.
Disclosure: Chris Madel has represented Alpha News in multiple cases.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
