MyPillow CEO Files Governors Bid – Tim Walz Reeling!

Republican symbol on American flag background.

A Trump-aligned pillow mogul just filed to challenge Minnesota’s governor, injecting massive personal wealth and election-denial messaging into a race that hasn’t elected a Republican in 15 years.

Quick Take

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell filed campaign paperwork on December 3-4, 2025, signaling serious intent to challenge Governor Tim Walz in the 2026 race
Lindell claims he is “98 percent sure” he will run and will make a formal announcement on December 11, 2025
He enters a crowded Republican primary with approximately a dozen candidates already declared, fragmenting an already divided field
His Trump connection and personal wealth provide advantages, but legal defeats and election-denial activism create significant general election vulnerabilities
Walz currently leads all tested Republican opponents by 5-13 percentage points in polling, maintaining strong incumbent positioning

The Businessman Who Bet Big on Election Denial

Mike Lindell transformed MyPillow from a regional business into a national brand worth hundreds of millions. The Twin Cities entrepreneur leveraged that success into political activism following the 2020 presidential election. He funded efforts to overturn results, organized the controversial cyber symposium in 2021, and spent millions promoting election integrity claims. His legal record tells a different story than his messaging suggests.

A Trail of Courtroom Defeats

Federal judges have rejected Lindell’s core claims repeatedly. In 2025, a federal judge ruled that Lindell defamed election technology company Smartmatic by falsely claiming its voting machines helped rig the 2020 election. He faced similar defamation claims from Dominion Voting Systems, resulting in a $300,000 settlement. Beyond election disputes, MyPillow paid nearly $780,000 to shipping company DHL over a contract dispute in 2025. These legal entanglements create substantial vulnerabilities in a general election campaign.

Minnesota’s Shifting Political Battleground

Minnesota hasn’t elected a Republican governor since 2006, creating a 15-year Democratic hold on the office. Governor Tim Walz, the incumbent, served as the Democratic vice presidential candidate in 2024 and now seeks a third consecutive term—a historically difficult achievement. No Minnesota governor has been elected to a third term since the state adopted four-year terms in 1962. This historical context frames Lindell’s challenge against formidable odds.

Trump’s Minnesota Strategy Meets Lindell’s Ambition

Donald Trump has intensified focus on Minnesota, particularly targeting Somali residents and pledging extensive immigration enforcement in the state. Lindell’s candidacy aligns with this Trump administration priority, positioning him to potentially receive Trump’s direct support and resources. This alignment ties his campaign to controversial immigration rhetoric that could alienate moderate voters in a general election matchup.

The Crowded Primary Problem

Lindell enters a Republican primary with approximately a dozen candidates competing for the nomination. Other candidates include Lisa Demuth, Speaker of the Minnesota House; Kristin Robbins, state representative; Chris Madel, Twin Cities attorney; Scott Jensen, who lost to Walz in 2022; Kendall Qualls; and Phil Parrish. This fragmented field could work to Lindell’s advantage if Trump-aligned voters consolidate behind him, but it also means no clear frontrunner emerges before the primary.

Walz’s Polling Fortress

Governor Walz currently leads all tested Republican opponents by 5-13 percentage points. Polling shows Walz receiving 46-50 percent support while Republican opponents range from 37-41 percent. These numbers suggest Walz maintains strong incumbent advantages and higher name recognition. His selection as vice presidential candidate in 2024 elevated his national profile and fundraising potential, strengthening his re-election positioning considerably.

Why Election Integrity Messaging Resonates Here

Lindell’s polling research indicates that “secure our elections” ranks as the third-highest concern among Minnesota voters. This finding explains his campaign platform emphasis and suggests receptiveness to election integrity messaging among a segment of the electorate. However, his specific claims about 2020 election fraud have been thoroughly debunked and rejected by courts, creating credibility challenges for translating polling sentiment into electoral support.

The December 11 Decision Point

Lindell has not made a final, irrevocable commitment despite filing paperwork. He told MPR News he is “98 percent sure” he will run, while telling CBS News he has “not 100% decided” but wanted to file paperwork in case he commits. His December 11 announcement will clarify his intentions definitively. If he commits, expect rapid campaign infrastructure development powered by his substantial personal wealth and MyPillow resources.

National Implications Beyond Minnesota

Lindell’s candidacy serves as a crucial test case for whether Trump-aligned, election-denial candidates can succeed in competitive statewide races outside deep-red states. Minnesota’s status as a swing state makes this particularly significant for understanding national political trajectories. The race outcome will influence Republican strategy regarding election messaging and Trump-aligned candidate viability in purple states heading into 2028.