There was no stage, no rally, and no formal party rollout.
Instead, the news surfaced quietly — a post shared online, written in personal terms rather than campaign language. Still, it didn’t take long for it to spread. By the end of the day, Mike Lindell’s name was once again at the center of a national political conversation.
The MyPillow founder and prominent ally of former President Donald Trump has announced that he will seek the Republican nomination for governor of Minnesota in the 2026 election. Lindell shared the announcement on social media on December 11, positioning himself for a high-profile challenge to the state’s Democratic leadership.
If nominated, Lindell would face Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat who served as his party’s vice-presidential nominee in the 2024 presidential race and is now pursuing a third term as Minnesota’s governor.
In a message posted to his campaign website, Lindell framed his candidacy around his personal journey and political convictions. He referenced his recovery from addiction, his success in building major businesses, and his long-running efforts to highlight what he claims are systemic problems with U.S. elections.
He also outlined core policy priorities, placing particular emphasis on taxes. Lindell said he intends to push back against rising property taxes, escalating government fees, and what he described as unfair sales tax burdens on consumers.
The race for the Republican nomination is already crowded. Lindell joins a field that includes Minnesota House Speaker Lisa DeMuth and Scott Jensen, the GOP’s 2022 gubernatorial nominee, setting up what is expected to be a competitive and ideologically charged primary contest.
Lindell became a nationally recognizable figure during Trump’s first term, emerging as one of the former president’s most vocal supporters.
His profile grew significantly after the 2020 election, when he amplified claims of widespread voter fraud — allegations that courts repeatedly rejected.
His policy platform also includes proposals to reduce Minnesota’s in-store sales tax to 5 percent, overhaul parts of the state’s education system, and address alleged failures in government oversight.
Lindell has repeatedly pointed to a massive COVID-era fraud case involving Minnesota’s social services system, where more than $1 billion in public funds were allegedly stolen.
Some critics of Gov. Walz have argued that state leadership failed to act sooner due to political considerations involving Minneapolis’ Somali community, which includes Rep. Ilhan Omar. Walz has strongly denied those claims.
Looking Ahead
With Lindell officially entering the race, Minnesota’s 2026 gubernatorial election is already taking shape as a high-stakes and deeply polarizing contest.
The Republican primary will test the balance between outsider energy and political experience, while the general election promises sharp debate over taxes, government oversight, and the state’s future direction — long before the first ballots are cast.