Donald Trump threw his weight behind Mike Lindell's bid to become Minnesota's next governor, posting a full-throated endorsement on Truth Social that hailed the MyPillow founder as "one of America's greatest and most hard working Patriots." The endorsement arrived Wednesday, just days before the state's Republican primary on August 11.
Trump's post centered on Lindell's efforts around election integrity claims, crediting him with having "sacrificed" more than nearly anyone else in that effort. The former president declared that Lindell "will MAKE MINNESOTA GREAT AGAIN," signaling momentum for a candidate who has struggled in broader matchups against the Democratic incumbent.
Recent polling presents a steep climb for Lindell in a general election. A June survey from Star Tribune, KARE 11, and the Hubbard School showed Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar leading Lindell 53 percent to 36 percent, with 11 percent undecided. That represents Klobuchar's strongest performance against any of the Republicans tested, including party-endorsed candidate Kendall Qualls and Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth.
The Republican primary field is crowded. Beyond Lindell, Demuth, and Qualls, the ballot includes 2022 nominee Scott Jensen and state representative Peggy Bennett. Klobuchar secured the Democratic nomination after announcing her candidacy in January.
Lindell's campaign has faced scrutiny over residency questions. Though born in Minnesota and having built MyPillow operations there, he was registered to vote in Texas for several years and described himself as "a Texas citizen" in a court filing last year. He later told reporters he had re-established Minnesota residency and would satisfy the requirement that gubernatorial candidates live in the state at least a year before the general election.
The race opened after Democratic Governor Tim Walz, the 2024 vice-presidential nominee, declined to seek a third term. Walz defeated Scott Jensen in 2022 by 7.7 percentage points. The general election is scheduled for November 3.
Author James Rodriguez: "Trump's endorsement adds star power to Lindell's struggling campaign, but polling suggests it may not be enough to overcome his general election deficit against Klobuchar."
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