The Republican Party in Minnesota has been riding a new wave of optimism, seeing a clear path to reclaiming statewide power for the first time in nearly two decades. But in the unpredictable world of modern politics, nothing can test that optimism quite like the powerful, conflicting forces of former President Donald Trump and his most loyal ally, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.
The stakes are high for the North Star State GOP. After gaining a historic 67-67 tie in the State House of Representatives, and with a vulnerable Democratic Governor, Tim Walz, seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term in 2026, the party sees its best chance in years to break the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) grip on the top office. A Republican has not won a gubernatorial race in Minnesota since 2006.
Enter Mike Lindell. The Minnesota-based entrepreneur, known for his relentless support of former President Trump, officially announced his run for governor in December 2025. His entry immediately shook up an already crowded Republican primary field, instantly making him the most recognizable candidate due to his national profile and deep ties to the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
The MyPillow CEO’s candidacy became an even more intense flashpoint following recent comments from former President Trump. Speaking at a rally, Trump offered strong praise for Lindell, saying he “deserves to be governor of Minnesota” after suffering through legal and financial battles due to his activism. For many in the primary race, this was viewed as the next best thing to a full endorsement, giving Lindell a massive boost with the party’s enthusiastic base.
This is where the optimism meets the reality check. Lindell is an enthusiastic candidate, vowing to run the government like a business, but he carries significant baggage that makes establishment Republicans nervous. He is the face of the debunked claims of a rigged 2020 election and is currently liable for millions in damages, pending appeal, following a defamation verdict in a lawsuit by a former employee of Dominion Voting Systems.
For the state’s party leaders, the fear is that nominating a candidate who excites the base but alienates the crucial independent and suburban voters will ultimately lead to general election failure. As some conservative voices within Minnesota have pointed out, there is a risk of the party squandering its best chance in a generation if it rallies around a candidate who is perceived as ideologically pure but unelectable.
Lindell joins a field that includes serious contenders like Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth and the 2022 Republican nominee for governor, Dr. Scott Jensen, among others. The battle lines are now clearly drawn between the MAGA wing of the party, represented by Lindell, and those who prioritize picking a candidate with broad electability to finally win a statewide race.
The path forward for the Minnesota GOP, therefore, is anything but smooth. They can capitalize on an unstable political landscape and a weakened incumbent, but only if they can successfully navigate the internal division created by their most powerful national figure and his local champion. The primary process, with the endorsing convention looming this spring, will determine whether the party can seize this moment of opportunity or if, as one analyst summarized, its chances are truly “cooked.”