Trump Endorses Mike Lindell for Minnesota Governor; State GOP Rejects Endorsement

Minnesota Republicans publicly rejected President Donald Trump's endorsement of Mike Lindell for governor on July 15, 2026. The state party issued a statement hours after Trump posted his support on Truth Social. Trump described Lindell as "one of America's greatest and most hard working Patriots" and said Lindell "can do it" regarding the governorship.

He added that Lindell had sacrificed more than almost anyone else in fighting for the country, especially on election integrity, and that Lindell truly loves Minnesota and wants to bring it back from oblivion and embarrassment. Trump said Lindell will make Minnesota great again and gave him his complete and total endorsement.

Minnesota Republican Party Chairman Alex Plechash stated that the party was surprised by the endorsement.

The party publicly broke with Trump on the same day. 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.