“When the going got tough under Tim Walz, Mike Lindell left Minnesota for Texas,” Plechash said. “Now he wants Minnesota Republicans to overlook his serious financial baggage, public records showing tens of thousands of dollars in delinquent property taxes, significant electability concerns, and unanswered questions surrounding his running mate. Minnesota cannot afford to nominate a ticket that gives Democrats an easy target and creates the very real possibility of another DFL trifecta.”

The party also argued that other Republican candidates have spent years building the state GOP, supporting candidates, and raising money, while noting that delegates at the state convention placed Lindell third.

“Republican delegates considered Mike Lindell at the State Convention, and he finished third,” the statement said. “We believe that is where he will finish in the August primary.”

“These are serious times, and they demand serious, disciplined leadership,” Plechash added. “Minnesota needs a governor who can unite Republicans, earn the support of independent voters, and defeat Amy Klobuchar.”

Trump endorsed Lindell Wednesday morning in a Truth Social post, calling the longtime ally “the ‘Pillow Man.’”

“Mike will be SPECTACULAR!!! He truly loves Minnesota, as do I, and wants to bring it back from oblivion and embarrassment. He can do it!” Trump wrote.

Lindell, who built a national profile through his MyPillow commercials, became one of Trump’s most outspoken supporters after the 2020 presidential election, repeatedly promoting claims that the election was stolen.

His gubernatorial bid comes as he continues to face mounting legal and financial challenges. Lindell recently settled one defamation lawsuit related to his election claims, with each side agreeing to pay its own legal costs. He has said the litigation has cost him roughly $20 million.

He also remains a defendant in a federal defamation lawsuit brought by Smartmatic, which won against him last fall, with damages to be determined at trial. Separately, Lindell is appealing a $2.3 million defamation judgment awarded to a former Dominion Voting Systems employee. In that case, Lindell testified that he is approximately $10 million in debt.

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Lindell is competing in a crowded Republican primary scheduled for Aug. 11 that includes state House Speaker Lisa Demuth.

On the Democratic side, longtime Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) is the leading candidate for governor.