Mike Lindell is stepping down as CEO of MyPillow to focus on his bid for Minnesota governor.
While questions about his residency and viability against Democrat Amy Klobuchar swirl amongst the GOP, President Donald Trump has endorsed Lindell himself. Minnesota's Primary is next Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Lindell, who founded MyPillow in 2004, made the announcement on his streaming service on Tuesday that he'd no longer be chief executive or majority owner.
"After 22 years of leading MyPillow, I know the company is ready for its next chapter and I know Minnesota cannot wait," Lindell explained. "This decisions is not about walking away. It is about stepping forward to serve. I am putting Minnesota above myself, my title, and my business interests so I can give this campaign and the people of our state my full time, energy, and attention."
The company took a hit in 2020 amid Lindell's false claims that the election was stolen.
WCCO political analyst Blois Olson says this move by Lindell was not on his radar.
"I think it shows that they're understanding that there's a certain seriousness they're going to have to take if they win next Tuesday," Olson says. "It also sounds like there was a business reason to do it and that he might have needed some capital to stabilize the business. So we'll see."
The businessman has been leading in recent polls ahead of Tuesday's primary election against other GOP candidates, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, and Kendall Qualls who won the party nomination at June's state convention.
Lindell, Demuth, Qualls and Klobuchar are participating in their first forum together on Wednesday, moderated by WCCO's Olson. It'll happen at FarmFest near Redwood Falls and you can watch it live beginning at 10:30 a.m. here.
"I'm expecting policy answers about the future of Minnesota," Olson says about the forum. "And I think how these things impact both agriculture, and Greater Minnesota's economy, from healthcare, to jobs, to education. The issues are not just farms at Farm Fest. It really is about the rural economy."
