Mike Lindell, best known to television audiences as the “MyPillow Guy” and a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, officially jumped into the 2026 Minnesota governor’s race Thursday, setting his sights on unseating Democratic Gov. Tim Walz.
According to The Associated Press, the announcement came at his MyPillow factory in Shakopee, Minnesota, streamed live on Lindell TV, his conservative news platform. Clanging machinery and the hiss of production served as the backdrop for Lindell’s declaration.
“Well, it didn’t work. I’m still standing. MyPillow is still standing,” Lindell said. “And now I want you to know that I will stand for you as governor of the state of Minnesota.”
Immediately after the announcement, Lindell joined Trump ally Steve Bannon for a live interview on the “War Room” podcast, later showing off his red-white-and-blue campaign bus as he vowed to tour every Minnesota town.
Lindell, 64, founded MyPillow in 2009 and became its public face through ubiquitous late-night infomercials. His outspoken support for Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was stolen has brought both national attention and legal troubles.
Retailers dropped his products, revenue plunged, and multiple lawsuits, including defamation claims from voting machine companies, have followed.
“Not only have I built businesses, you look at problem solution,” Lindell said ahead of the announcement. “I was able to make it through the biggest attack on a company, and a person, probably other than Donald Trump, in the history of our media … lawfare and everything.”
He said his platform will focus on fighting government fraud, addressing homelessness and addiction, and challenging the use of electronic voting machines, advocating for hand counts even in a state where paper ballots are standard.
The Walz campaign criticized Lindell, calling him “a snake oil salesman caught up in multiple legal fights who wants to bring Trump extremism to Minnesota.”
While Minnesota hasn’t elected a Republican statewide since 2006, the state has a history of unconventional political choices, including former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura in 1998 and TV pitchman Rudy Boschwitz as a U.S. senator in 1978.
Lindell said he has consulted Trump since August about running and receives advice from Rudy Giuliani. On campaign financing, he acknowledged he lacks personal funds but said supporters nationwide have pledged donations.
“These guys haven’t lived what I live,” Lindell said of his Republican rivals, which include House Speaker Lisa Demuth, former state senator Scott Jensen, and others. “I don’t have the money … but I’ve had thousands upon thousands of people text and call, saying from all around the country … ‘Hey, I’ll donate.’”
His candidacy promises a high-profile, Trump-aligned Republican challenge in Minnesota’s next gubernatorial election.
