Chaska, Minnesota – MyPillow founder and staunch Trump ally Mike Lindell announced his candidacy for Minnesota governor on December 14, 2025, vowing to challenge Democratic incumbent Tim Walz in a race that promises to blend business bravado with election-denial fervor. The 64-year-old entrepreneur, nicknamed the “MyPillow Guy,” made the declaration during a raucous rally in his hometown, surrounded by red hats and supporters waving “Stop the Steal” banners.
Lindell, who poured millions into 2020 election challenges and faced defamation lawsuits from voting machine companies, framed his run as a mission to “restore integrity” to Minnesota politics. “We’re going to make Minnesota great again—lower taxes, secure borders, and honest elections,” he roared, pledging to audit voting systems statewide and crack down on “fraud” he claims cost Trump the state twice. His platform echoes Trump’s “America First” agenda, with promises to slash regulations on small businesses and boost law enforcement amid urban crime concerns.
The announcement caps Lindell’s transformation from bedding magnate to MAGA icon. Once a crack cocaine addict turned born-again Christian, he built a $300 million empire before diving into conspiracy circles, hosting “election summits” and facing asset seizures over unpaid legal fees. Undeterred, Lindell positioned himself as the outsider to unseat Walz, whose approval hovers at 52% amid progressive policies on abortion and climate.
Political analysts see an uphill battle in a state Biden won by 7 points in 2020. Republicans haven’t held the governorship since 2010, and Lindell’s polarizing profile—banned from Twitter in 2021, now reinstated—risks alienating moderates. Walz’s team dismissed the bid as “circus politics,” while GOP insiders whisper of a crowded primary. Yet, in Trump’s shadow, Lindell’s name recognition and fundraising prowess could jolt the race.
As 2026 dawns, Minnesota braces for a showdown: Pillow fort entrepreneur versus folksy teacher-turned-governor. Will Lindell’s grit flip the script, or fluff out early?
