MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell filed paperwork Wednesday to form a campaign committee for the 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial race, joining a crowded Republican field challenging Democratic incumbent and former Vice President hopeful Tim Walz.

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Lindell registered the Mike Lindell for Governor committee with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, enabling him to raise funds ahead of a formal announcement set for Dec. 11. 

The race is shaping up as a crowded primary on the GOP side, with incumbents and newcomers positioning themselves amid voter frustration over state spending and recent scandals. 

One notable entrant is Lisa Demuth, the current speaker of the Minnesota House and the highest-ranking Republican in state government. Demuth launched her campaign in early November, picking attorney Ryan Wilson as her running mate. Wilson narrowly lost a bid for state auditor in 2022.

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Scott Jensen, a former state senator and family physician who was the GOP nominee in 2022, has also entered the race. Jensen lost to Walz by nearly eight percentage points that year but announced his second run in July, focusing on health care reform, roads, and election integrity.

State Rep. Kristin Robbins entered in August and currently leads early betting odds on Kalshi with a 17 percent chance to win the nomination, followed closely by Jensen with a 16 percent chance, and attorney Chris Madel, currently tied with Lindell at 15 percent at the time of writing. 

Other declared candidates include former Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson, businessman Kendall Qualls, Marine veteran Phil Parrish, Brad Kohler, Patrick Knight, Thomas Evenstad, and several others. State Sen. Julia Coleman is exploring a bid, while U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer and Pete Stauber have both ruled out the possibility. 

Across the aisle, two-term Gov. Tim Walz is widely expected to run for a third term, even as new federal scrutiny is being directed at his administration. 

On Wednesday, House Oversight Chairman James Comer announced a formal investigation into what he called “widespread fraud and abuse” in Minnesota’s social-service programs. Federal prosecutors have already charged more than 80 people in schemes that cost taxpayers over $1 billion, with some money allegedly reaching the Somali terror group al-Shabaab.

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The 2026 election is set for Nov. 3, with primaries in August. Republicans see an opening after gaining ground in the state House last year, though Walz holds strong party support.