MINNEAPOLIS — Mike Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow, is contemplating a run for Minnesota governor in 2026. He believes the state’s trajectory has declined significantly during Governor Tim Walz’s tenure with the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL).
However, there’s a catch: Lindell has been residing in Texas. In a conversation on Thursday, the pillow entrepreneur admitted that he would need to reestablish his residency in Minnesota should he decide to run for governor.
Documents indicate that Lindell has been residing in Lufkin, Texas, and has been enrolled to vote in the state of Texas since January 2023. In a Carver County court submission in January Lindell is referred to as "a citizen of Texas." In other legal actions initiated by MyPillow against merchant cash advance firms last autumn, he was also identified as a Texas resident.
Clearly, if I decide to run for office, I must become a resident of Minnesota," Lindell stated, noting his knowledge of the regulations. He mentioned owning properties in two different locations. "It simply requires you to reside primarily in one state. And definitely, were I to campaign for governor, I would dedicate 99% of my time to this place, without question.
I am fully conscious of my responsibilities regarding Minnesota," Lindell stated additionally. "Even if announcements were being made next year, I would still have enough time to fulfill the residency requirements.
To qualify as a Minnesota resident for tax purposes, an individual needs to reside in the state. at least 183 days within the state throughout the year and possess, lease, or upkeep a home.
Candidates aspiring to become governors are subject to an additional requirement They have to reside in Minnesota for at least a year prior to the general election, as stated by the Secretary of State’s Office.
When asked about the amount of time he spends in Texas, Lindell replied, "I'm not sure. I haven't checked recently." He mentioned that his spouse hails from Lufkin, a town with approximately 34,000 residents in eastern Texas, where several relatives reside.
Lindell, who’s spread baseless claims of electoral fraud for years, said “there also was a lot of stuff that I had to do in Texas,” referring to his efforts to push local governments to ditch voting machines in favor of hand-counted paper ballots.
Over the last three months, Lindell mentioned that he has primarily dedicated his time to protecting MyPillow and its staff through various legal proceedings in Minnesota.
Lindell and MyPillow have encountered numerous legal challenges through various lawsuits in recent years, from defamation claims suggested by voting machine companies to litigation over unpaid bills Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has similarly investigating three nonprofits That lists Lindell as the president regarding potential breaches of the state charity law.
"My businesses...they keep being targeted, and they're only under attack because I'm advocating for paper ballots to be counted manually," Lindell claimed.
Regarding his potential campaign for governor, Lindell mentioned that he is assessing public interest via polls and might reveal his decision within the coming fortnight. He stated that he would focus on an agenda of "securing elections" and applying "practical measures," aiming to manage the state as one would operate a business.
Lindell stated his belief that Minnesota’s educational framework has deteriorated under Walz’s leadership. He took issue with Walz’s handling of the 2020 riots and voiced disagreement with the governor’s remarks about Elon Musk, who Lindell feels is "aiming to reduce costs for the entire nation."
It truly set me off," Lindell stated, commenting on Walz's conflict with Musk. "Minnesota should get rid of this fellow.
Walz stated he will determine whether to pursue a third consecutive term as governor by this summer. The Democrat has likewise kept the possibility of running for president in 2028 open, and he remains flexible. traveled the country In recent months, to addressDemocratic gatherings.
So far, no leading Republicans have declared their bids for governor, but the previous Republican candidate has not ruled out running. Scott Jensen and others are considering it.
In response to Lindell potentially running for office on Thursday, Minnesota DFL chairman Richard Carlbom stated, "The possibility of Mike Lindell winning the Republican gubernatorial primary highlights just how far right the Minnesota Republican Party has shifted."
( Brooks Johnson from the Minnesota Star Tribune provided contributions to this report.
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