MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell announced a Republican bid for Minnesota governor, pledging to "stop the fraud" he ties to Gov. Tim Walz amid federal and congressional probes into the "Feeding Our Future" public benefits program. Reporting and investigators have flagged roughly $1 billion in suspected COVID-era benefits fraud. Lindell also pledged conservative priorities including tougher election security and lower taxes; Democrats quickly condemned his entry. He previously was found liable for defamation in a Colorado federal case related to his 2020 election claims.
Mike Lindell Launches Minnesota Governor Bid, Vows to Target Alleged 'Feeding Our Future' Fraud
Mike Lindell launches Minnesota governor bid with vow to target Walz over ‘rampant fraud’ as scandal widens
MyPillow CEO and Trump ally Mike Lindell formally launched a Republican campaign for Minnesota governor on Thursday, announcing his bid during an appearance on his streaming platform on the program "Steve Bannon's War Room."
Mike Lindell walks into a federal district court for a defamation trial, on June 5, 2025, in Denver, Colorado.
Lindell entered the race as federal and congressional probes intensified into alleged pandemic-era fraud in Minnesota, centered on the "Feeding Our Future" public benefits program. Investigators and recent reporting have described what they say could be one of the largest COVID-related public benefits fraud schemes in the country, with reporting estimating roughly $1 billion at issue; the U.S. House Oversight Committee and members of the Trump administration have opened inquiries tied to the matter.
Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., is at the center of a widening scandal as federal prosecutors continue to unravel one of the nation’s largest COVID-era fraud cases.
"I will stand for you as the next governor of the state of Minnesota. I will stand up for you against the rampant fraud under Gov. Walz," Lindell said as he announced his campaign.
Campaign Promises
On his campaign website and during the launch, Lindell prioritized ending what he described as widespread fraud tied to Minnesota public benefits. He also pledged a slate of conservative priorities, including continuing deportations of undocumented immigrants, curbing what he described as rising property taxes, reforming public education, cutting fees and taxes, addressing addiction, strengthening public safety and tightening election security.
Lisa Demuth, a Republican state representative from Cold Spring, Minnesota, was the House Speaker in the 2025 session.
Reaction And Context
Democrats quickly criticized Lindell's entrance into the race. Izzi Levy, a spokesperson for the Democratic Governors Association, called Lindell "an extreme, out-of-touch candidate" and said Democrats would work to prevent his agenda from reaching the governor's office.
Lindell has faced legal consequences over his public claims about the 2020 presidential election. Earlier this year, a federal jury in Colorado found him liable for defamation and ordered him to pay millions in damages to a former employee of Dominion Voting Systems.
He joins a crowded Republican primary that already includes Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, 2022 nominee Scott Jensen and state Rep. Kristin Robbins. Gov. Tim Walz is seeking a third term next year; the campaign and the fraud investigations have drawn national attention to Minnesota politics.
Note: This article avoids repeating an inaccurate earlier claim suggesting Gov. Walz was chosen as a vice-presidential running mate; that assertion was incorrect and has been removed for accuracy.
