Full Breakdown
Mike Lindell Refuses to Concede After Losing Minnesota GOP Gubernatorial Primary
8/13/2026, 12:13:39 AM
Core Event
In the Minnesota Republican primary for governor, state House Speaker Lisa Demuth secured the nomination, outpacing Mike Lindell—the MyPillow founder and Trump-backed candidate—by more than 45,000 votes, an 11-point margin. Although precincts were essentially finished counting, Lindell publicly rejected the Associated Press call and said he would continue to “reconcile” the numbers before acknowledging defeat.
Background & Context
Lindell built his political profile on promoting former President Donald Trump’s false claim that the 2020 election was stolen. He has faced multiple defamation suits from voting-technology firms Dominion (now Liberty Vote) and Smartmatic, settling a $1.3 billion case and being ordered to pay millions in damages. His residency was questioned because he remained registered to vote in Texas until weeks before the primary, prompting the Minnesota Republican Party to voice “electability concerns.” In July, Trump issued a personal endorsement, urging Minnesota Republicans to deliver a “BIG WIN.”
Data & Statistics
- Vote share: Demuth received roughly 43 % of the vote; Lindell earned about 32 % (reports vary between 32.3 %–32.5 %).
- Margin: Over 45,000 votes, an 11-point advantage.
- Fundraising: Demuth’s campaign reported $456,000 on hand in July, while Lindell and his third-place rival Kendall Qualls together held about $155,000.
- Polling: A late-July KSTP/Survey USA poll placed Lindell at 34 % and Demuth at 28 %, with a 5.6-point margin of error.
Official Statements & Responses
- Lisa Demuth called the result a “major milestone” and said her campaign’s work was “not done yet” as she prepares for the November general election.
- Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “Mike Lindell deserves a BIG WIN IN MINNESOTA today. Nobody has worked harder, and given up so much, in fighting for free and fair Elections.”
- Mike Lindell told reporters on his LindellTV network that his team needed “a day” to review the results and that he had “seen a couple of anomalies.” He added that he would not concede until the vote count was verified.
- The Minnesota Republican Party warned that Lindell’s “financial baggage” and residency questions made him a poor choice to defeat Democratic nominee Amy Klobuchar.
Criticism & Opposition
Party officials highlighted Lindell’s legal liabilities, a recent violation of campaign-finance rules for distributing free pillows at a July 4 parade, and a brief immigration-amnesty proposal he later retracted. Strategists argued his alignment with Trump could alienate moderate voters in the general election.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on exact vote percentages: the Associated Press cited 43.4 % for Demuth and 32.5 % for Lindell; other outlets reported 43.6 % and 32.3 % respectively. The precise number of remaining uncounted ballots was also contested—Lindell claimed “265,000 votes left,” while official canvassing showed less than 1 % of precincts were still open. No evidence has been presented to substantiate Lindell’s alleged “anomalies.”
What’s Next
Demuth will face Amy Klobuchar in the November gubernatorial race. Lindell has not announced any legal challenge or further campaign activity, leaving his future political role uncertain.
