In a move that has already sparked political chatter nationwide, Mike Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow and notorious pro-Trump conspiracy theorist, has filed the paperwork to run for governor of Minnesota in 2026. While Lindell stopped short of fully committing to the race, his actions mark a significant escalation in his political ambitions.

According to the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, Lindell created a committee titled “Mike Lindell for Governor” on Wednesday, signaling the early stages of a potential campaign. In a statement to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Lindell admitted he “isn’t 100% yet” decided on running but promised a full announcement next week.

Lindell, widely recognized for his MyPillow commercials, has spent recent years cultivating a controversial political profile, particularly as one of President Donald Trump’s most vocal supporters and a leading promoter of election-related conspiracy theories.

Lindell rose to national attention in 2020 for his insistence that voting machines had flipped millions of votes from Donald Trump to Joe Biden. He organized a highly publicized “cyber symposium” promoting this false narrative, and has repeatedly claimed—without evidence—that a nationwide election fraud scheme occurred.

His involvement in election conspiracies even extended to Colorado, where he was linked to a purported scheme to breach state election systems. While no criminal charges have resulted from this allegation, it has added to Lindell’s controversial political reputation.

Currently, Lindell is embroiled in multiple defamation lawsuits filed by Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, two companies he accused of manipulating the 2020 election. A federal judge has already ruled in favor of Smartmatic regarding defamation, though a jury will decide damages. Earlier this year, a federal jury ordered Lindell to pay approximately $2.3 million for defaming a former Dominion executive. Despite these legal setbacks, he continues to use social media to amplify his claims about election fraud.

If Lindell follows through and secures the Republican nomination, he would face incumbent Governor Tim Walz, who served as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee in 2024 and has announced his bid for a third term.

However, Lindell’s path to the Republican ticket is far from assured. Several prominent GOP figures, including the 2022 Republican nominee and Minnesota’s current state House speaker, are expected to compete for the nomination. Analysts predict a contentious primary race that could redefine the state’s political landscape.

Lindell’s potential run has drawn immediate criticism from Democrats and political commentators.

“Izzi Levy, spokesperson for the Democratic Governors Association, described Lindell as ‘the latest extreme, out-of-touch candidate to jump into what is becoming a more chaotic and dangerous race to the far-right by the day,’ further labeling him a ‘sleazy businessman.’”

Meanwhile, some Republicans and Lindell supporters view him as a staunch defender of election integrity, aligning closely with President Trump’s base. His candidacy could energize voters who remain skeptical of the 2020 election results, particularly in rural and suburban areas of Minnesota.

Lindell’s campaign ambitions come at a time when he faces mounting legal challenges. In addition to the Dominion and Smartmatic lawsuits, he continues to contest allegations linked to the Colorado election breach. Legal analysts suggest that ongoing court proceedings could complicate any statewide campaign, particularly regarding fundraising and media coverage.

Despite the lawsuits, Lindell remains unapologetic. Social media posts and public appearances continue to focus on promoting conspiracy theories, a strategy that has kept him in the national spotlight and energized a specific segment of voters who remain loyal to Trump-aligned messaging.

Minnesota’s political landscape is poised for an unpredictable 2026 gubernatorial election. Lindell’s entry into the race, even tentatively, signals the growing influence of far-right politics in state-level elections and underscores the lingering impact of 2020 election controversies.

The coming months will reveal whether Lindell officially commits to running and how his candidacy will affect both Republican primary dynamics and the general election. Voters, political analysts, and national media outlets will be closely watching every move as the state prepares for a potentially high-stakes election season.