Mike Lindell, the CEO of Minnesota-based MyPillow, has officially announced he's running for Minnesota governor after filing paperwork to join the race earlier this month.

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell has officially entered the 2026 Minnesota governor’s race, launching a campaign centered on election security, tax reform and government accountability.

We are almost always No. 1 in voter turnout because we have good, bipartisan laws that balance access and security," Simon said. “My aim is to keep it that way.”

The 2026 election will see races for State House and Senate, constitutional offices, and a few federal seats in Minnesota. It’ll be the first time since 2022 that state senators and constitutional officers will be on the ballot.

Simon has fought federal attempts to seize voters’ personal data and other maneuvers he says amount to unprecedented encroachment into elections.

MAZEPPA, Minn. — Republican state Sen. Steve Drazkowski announced Tuesday, Dec. 9, that he would not seek re-election in 2026.

Lindell, a Trump backer who promoted debunked allegations about the 2020 elections and has been embroiled in defamation suits, joins a crowded Republican field.