MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell is exploring a potential run for Minnesota’s governorship in 2026, setting the stage for what could become a significant challenge to one of America’s longest-standing Democratic strongholds.
At a Glance
- Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow and prominent Trump supporter, is considering running for Governor of Minnesota in 2026
- Current Governor Tim Walz, who has led Minnesota since 2019, may seek a third term or pursue other political ambitions
- Minnesota has traditionally voted Democratic but Republicans are gaining ground, with Trump winning 78 of 87 counties in 2024
- Lindell is conducting “due diligence” and plans to commission polling before making a final decision
- Political analysts suggest high voter turnout and targeted strategies could potentially flip the state to Republican control
The Potential Candidacy
Mike Lindell, the Founder and CEO of MyPillow who rose to political prominence as a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, has confirmed he’s exploring a gubernatorial run in Minnesota’s 2026 election. Known for his conservative activism and media ventures including FrankSpeech website and Lindell TV streaming platform, the businessman has begun laying groundwork for what would be his first campaign for public office. Lindell’s potential entry into the race reflects broader Republican efforts to expand their electoral map into traditionally Democratic territory.
Lindell has indicated he’s in the early stages of assessing his chances. “I’m looking at every single thing, option and doing my due diligence,” Lindell told reporters. The businessman plans to commission multiple polls to gauge his viability before making a final decision. The next Minnesota gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, giving potential candidates ample time to build campaign infrastructure and test messaging with voters across the state.
The Democratic Incumbent
Current Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat who has led Minnesota since 2019 and previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives, would be eligible for a third term in 2026. Walz recently gained national attention as Kamala Harris’s running mate in the unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign. Despite winning reelection in both 2018 and 2022, the Governor’s approval ratings have shown vulnerability, with RealClearPolitics reporting a 42.5% favorability rating.
“I live here in Minnesota. Everywhere I go, no one wants Tim Walz. They don’t,” Lindell claimed in recent statements. “It’s like even if you are a Democrat and you think he [Walz] is a good Democrat Governor, they don’t even like him for what they did, these nonsensical things he did.”
Walz has faced criticism for certain policies, including a 2023 law requiring schools to provide menstrual products in all restrooms. The Governor has been conducting town hall events in conservative-leaning districts and some political observers suggest he may be positioning himself for a potential presidential run in 2028 rather than seeking a third gubernatorial term.
Minnesota’s Changing Political Landscape
While Minnesota has reliably voted Democratic in presidential elections for decades, recent voting patterns suggest potential Republican opportunities. In the 2024 presidential election, Trump won 78 of Minnesota’s 87 counties despite not securing the state’s electoral votes. The state’s political structure has become increasingly competitive, with a tied state House and narrowly divided Senate creating a more balanced legislative environment than in years past.
“I think it really speaks to the issue in Minnesota, and nationally, where Democrats have — for some reason — really lost this relationship with working-class people. Especially in Minnesota where the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party is really part of our creed. And for whatever reason, our message is not resonating with those kind of blue-collar, labor groups out there.”
Republican strategists are implementing lessons from battleground states like Pennsylvania, focusing on increasing voter registration and turnout in conservative-leaning areas. Political analysts note that higher voter turnout has increasingly benefited Republicans in Minnesota, a reversal of historical patterns when Democratic voter mobilization dominated. This demographic and electoral shift presents an opening for Republican candidates in 2026.
A Crowded Field Forming
Lindell is not the only Republican eyeing the Governor’s mansion. Other potential GOP candidates for the 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial race include Scott Jensen, who previously ran against Walz, along with Kendall Qualls, Jim Schultz, and Chris Madel. The primary contest could ultimately determine whether Republicans can field a candidate with broad enough appeal to flip the governor’s seat.
Former state Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch believes “Lindell would make a strong candidate given his prominence, his ties to Trump, [and] his deep pockets.” Financial resources will be crucial in what promises to be an expensive campaign, and Lindell’s business success could provide advantages in funding a statewide operation against the Democratic machine that has dominated Minnesota politics for generations.
Whether Lindell ultimately enters the race or another Republican emerges as the party’s standard-bearer, the 2026, gubernatorial election may represent the most significant opportunity in decades for conservatives to regain control of Minnesota’s executive branch and redirect the state’s policy priorities. The contest will likely serve as an important barometer of political realignment in the Upper Midwest.
