Could the MyPillow CEO be trading in his business empire for a chance at the Minnesota Governor’s mansion? Mike Lindell, a staunch Trump ally and controversial conservative figure, is setting his sights on challenging Democrat Tim Walz in what could become one of 2026’s most watched gubernatorial races.
At a glance:
• Mike Lindell, founder of MyPillow and prominent MAGA supporter, is considering a run for Minnesota Governor in 2026
• Lindell claims “nobody wants Tim Walz” as Governor and is conducting polling before making a final decision
• The MyPillow CEO previously considered gubernatorial runs in 2018 and 2022 at Trump’s urging
• Walz, a Democrat who has served since 2019, is eligible for a third term but hasn’t announced his intentions
• Lindell is known for promoting claims about the 2020 election and faces lawsuits from voting machine companies
MyPillow CEO Eyes Governor’s Mansion
Mike Lindell, the founder of MyPillow and a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, has announced he’s considering a run for Minnesota Governor in 2026. Lindell made the announcement on his “Mike Lindell Show,” stating he’s conducting “due diligence” and plans to commission polling before making a final decision on challenging Democratic Governor Tim Walz.
This isn’t Lindell’s first flirtation with seeking the Governor’s office, as he previously contemplated runs in both 2018 and 2022. The businessman runs multiple conservative media platforms including FrankSpeech and Lindell TV, which could provide him with ready-made channels to reach potential voters across the state.
Claims Widespread Dissatisfaction with Current Leadership
Lindell has been vocal about his belief that Minnesotans are unhappy with Governor Walz’s leadership. “I live here in Minnesota. Everywhere I go, nobody wants Tim Walz,” Lindell stated, suggesting there’s an appetite for new leadership in the North Star State.
“I’m looking at every single thing, option and doing my due diligence,” Lindell told reporters when discussing his potential candidacy. The businessman’s campaign would likely focus on his outsider status and business experience, potentially appealing to voters looking for an alternative to career politicians.
“Right now we have a voice that could be big enough, where when I do my due diligence—and we’re gonna do polling. We’re gonna get a couple of different polls to be taken. We’re gonna be doing all kinds of due diligence. I’m just checking into all this now.”
Political Landscape Heading into 2026
Governor Tim Walz, who has held office since 2019 after winning elections in both 2018 and 2022, is eligible to run for a third term. Walz previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives before becoming Governor, but has not yet announced whether he will seek reelection or possibly pursue other opportunities like a Senate run in 2026 or even a presidential bid in 2028.
Lindell brings significant name recognition to the potential race, though he also carries controversy from his promotion of claims about the 2020 election. The MyPillow CEO produced a documentary titled “Absolute Proof” alleging election interference and currently faces lawsuits from voting machine companies Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic related to his electoral fraud claims.
