Trump Endorses Lindell in Minnesota Governor Race
Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow, received an endorsement from President Donald Trump in Minnesota’s governor race. Lindell is a vocal supporter of Trump and claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election. He is participating in a competitive primary for the Republican nomination. The winner may face Democratic front-runner Senator Amy Klobuchar in November.
The race saw a major shift when Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, decided not to seek a third term amid criticism and an immigration enforcement scandal. Two American citizens were fatally shot by immigration officers in Minneapolis earlier this year, making immigration a central issue.
Trump praised Lindell on Truth Social. “Early Primary Voting has begun and Mike will be SPECTACULAR!!! He truly loves Minnesota and wants to bring it back from oblivion and embarrassment. He can do it!” wrote Trump. Newsweek contacted Lindell’s campaign for comment.
Political scientist Larry Jacobs believes Trump’s endorsement might hurt Republicans aiming to win the governor seat. He stated that Lindell is unpopular among crucial independents. Minnesota Republicans have not won a gubernatorial race in 20 years and face strong competition from Klobuchar.
Competitive Republican Primary
Lindell faces a competitive field in the Republican primary. Notable candidates include Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth and businessman Kendall Qualls. Polls indicate the race is tight among these candidates.
- A Minnesota Private Business Council survey showed Demuth leading with 34% support, Qualls with 28%, and Lindell with 24%. 15% were undecided, potentially affecting results.
- SurveyUSA, sponsored by KSTP-TV, indicated Lindell leading with 27%, Demuth at 22%, and Qualls at 17%. 24% of Republicans remained undecided.
- Big Data Poll, internal to Lindell, showed him at 27%, Demuth at 21%, and Qualls at 10%.
Demuth aims to unite the party for a November victory. Qualls expressed continued support for Trump’s policies but stressed the importance of local endorsements.
General Election Challenges
Lindell may start the general election race in a weaker position. A Mason-Dixon poll found Demuth closest to Klobuchar, trailing by 8 points. Qualls trailed by 11 points, and Lindell by 17 points. An Emerson College poll confirmed similar results. Klobuchar leads Lindell by 22 points, Demuth by 13 points.
David Schultz from Hamline University believes Lindell might win the nomination due to Trump’s influence on Minnesota’s Republican Party. However, Klobuchar remains highly popular in Minnesota, showing consistent leads.
Political forecasters favor Democrats to retain the governor seat, noted by prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket.
About Mike Lindell
Born in Mankato, Lindell founded MyPillow and emerged as a strong Trump supporter during the 2016 election. He became a leading voice in advocating unproven claims about the 2020 election. Legal challenges followed, with Dominion Voting Systems dismissing a defamation lawsuit against him.
Lindell faces ongoing legal cases, including a lawsuit from Smartmatic. Retailers dropping MyPillow impacted Lindell financially.
Immigration Debate Impacts Race
The Minnesota governor race dynamics shifted significantly with the immigration debate and Feeding Our Future scandal. Republicans criticized Walz’s handling of alleged fraud within the child nutrition programs.
Walz decided not to seek a third term. Democrats view Klobuchar as a strong candidate, uninvolved in the scandal.
Trump administration intensified immigration operations in Minnesota, deploying thousands of Border Patrol agents. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the increased force. Protests erupted after immigration officers fatally shot two American citizens.
Republican Challenges in Minnesota
Republicans continuously target Minnesota, a generally blue state, but have struggled to break Democratic holds. Minnesota voted Republican last in 1972 for a presidential candidate.
Minnesota supported Kamala Harris by 4 points in 2024 presidential races, Biden by 7 points in 2020, and Clinton with an even slimmer margin in 2016.
Tim Pawlenty was the last Republican governor in 2006, and Norm Coleman the last Republican senator elected in 2002.
Trump’s Popularity in Minnesota
Trump’s approval ratings in Minnesota could play a critical role in the midterm elections. Historically, midterms serve as a referendum on the sitting president’s party.
Trump approval tracking by Civiqs reflected a 32% approval rating and 62% disapproval in Minnesota. Emerson College confirmed similar results, with 56% disapproval and 41% approval in the state.