Mike Lindell enters 2026 Minnesota governor race
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell announced Thursday he will run for Minnesota governor in 2026 as a Republican, challenging Democratic incumbent Tim Walz, who is seeking a third term. Lindell said he filed preliminary paperwork last week and made his candidacy official via a social media statement, joining an already crowded GOP field that includes 2022 nominee Scott Jensen and the state House Republican speaker.
đ Key Facts
- Mike Lindell announced his 2026 gubernatorial bid on Dec. 11, 2025.
- He will run as a Republican against incumbent Gov. Tim Walz (D), who is seeking a third term.
- Other declared GOP contenders include Scott Jensen and the state House Republican speaker.
đ Relevant Data
In 2023, the math proficiency rate on Minnesota's MCA tests was 58% for White students, 44% for Asian students, 22% for Black students, 24% for Hispanic students, and 40% for other groups.
In 2023, the reading proficiency rate on Minnesota's MCA tests was 59% for White students, 44% for Asian students, 31% for Black students, 30% for Hispanic students, and 43% for other groups.
Minnesota's Black population grew by 60% from 2010 to 2023, increasing by about 197,000 people, while the state's total population grew by 8% over the same period; Black residents comprise approximately 7% of Minnesota's population.
Report: Minnesota among states where Black population grew fastest since 2010 â MPR News
From 2020 to 2024, immigration added over 81,000 new residents to Minnesota, making it the leading component of population growth in the state.
Immigration became the leading component of population growth in Minnesota this decade â Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
In 2023, Black individuals accounted for approximately 27% of all arrests in Minnesota (31,045 arrests), despite comprising about 7% of the population, while White individuals accounted for 50% of arrests (57,795 arrests), comprising about 77% of the population; this translates to a per capita arrest rate of about 81 per 1,000 for Black individuals and 13 per 1,000 for White individuals.
2023 Uniform Crime Report â Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension