Trump Endorses Lindell for Minnesota Governor; State GOP Rejects Endorsement

President Trump endorsed Mike Lindell for Minnesota governor. Trump posted the endorsement on Truth Social, describing Lindell as "one of America's greatest and most hard working Patriots" and stating that Lindell "can do it" regarding the governorship. Trump added that Lindell had sacrificed more than almost anyone else in fighting for the country, especially on election integrity.

He said Lindell truly loves Minnesota and wants to bring it back from oblivion and embarrassment, and that Lindell will make Minnesota great again. Trump gave Lindell his complete and total endorsement. The Minnesota Republican Party publicly rejected the endorsement on July 15, 2026.

The party issued a statement hours after Trump's Truth Social post. Chairman Alex Plechash stated that the party was surprised by the endorsement. Early voting has begun for the August 11 Republican primary.

A June Star Tribune/KARE 11/Hubbard School Minnesota poll showed Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar leading Lindell 53 percent to 36 percent in a hypothetical general election matchup, with 11 percent undecided. The same poll found Klobuchar ahead of Kendall Qualls 48 percent to 37 percent and ahead of Lisa Demuth 48 percent to 40 percent.

Kendall Qualls and Lisa Demuth won the Minnesota Republican Party endorsement in May.

Tim Walz, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor incumbent governor, opted not to seek a third term. In 2022 Walz defeated Scott Jensen by 7.7 percentage points. The general election is set for November 3. Lindell was registered to vote in Texas for several years before describing himself in a court filing last year as a Texas citizen.

He has told reporters he has re-established residency in Minnesota to meet the state requirement that gubernatorial candidates live there for at least one year before the general election.