Minnesota Race Shifts as Mike Lindell Signals Campaign to Unseat Tim Walz

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell has taken a formal step toward a possible run for governor of Minnesota, filing paperwork to explore a 2026 challenge against Gov. Tim Walz, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The Minnesota Star Tribune reported Wednesday that Lindell registered the Mike Lindell for Governor committee with the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, beginning the initial phase of what could become a statewide campaign.

The filing does not guarantee that Lindell will enter the race. Speaking to the Star Tribune, Lindell said he plans to make a final decision soon.

“I am going to announce either way on Dec. 11,” he said, noting that he “isn’t 100 percent yet.”

If he moves forward, Lindell would enter an already crowded Republican field. Candidates currently in the race include Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, 2022 GOP nominee Scott Jensen, State Rep. Kristin Robbins, businessman Kendall Qualls, and attorney Chris Madel.

Several of those candidates had been seeking the endorsement of President Donald Trump, but the dynamics could shift if Lindell joins the contest. Lindell has been a longtime ally of President Trump, and the relationship has been publicly visible over the years.

Lindell told the Star Tribune that internal polling suggests he would be strong in hypothetical matchups. “If there was someone to win, it would be me,” he said.

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Gov. Walz has already indicated he intends to run for re-election in 2026, seeking a third four-year term. Minnesota Public Radio reported that if successful, he would become the first governor in the state’s history to win three consecutive four-year terms.

Former Gov. Orville Freeman won three consecutive two-year terms in the 1950s, before Minnesota shifted to its current system.

Walz’s bid comes after his role as Kamala Harris’ running mate during the 2024 election cycle. The ticket lost the general election, and analysts have noted that his vice-presidential run could become an issue in the upcoming statewide race.

Another challenge for Walz has been ongoing criticism tied to the large Somali fraud scandal uncovered during his tenure. State oversight surrounding the incident has remained a point of contention, and Walz has faced sustained scrutiny over the matter.

Lindell’s potential entry would likely reshape the GOP primary landscape, bringing a well-known national figure into an already competitive field. He said he will make his intentions clear on December 11.

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