'We'd Be Cooked': GOP Strategists Fear Trump-Backed MyPillow CEO Could Doom Minnesota Election

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: MEDIAite

Dec 25th, 2025, 9:45 am


Some Republican strategists fear that President Donald Trump’s involvement in the 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial race could harm – rather than help – the GOP’s chances.

Trump endorsed MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell (R) in the Minnesota governor race on Saturday, throwing his coveted MAGA support behind his longtime ally. Lindell announced his intention to run for governor of Minnesota as a Republican in early December.

But many figures within the state’s Republican Party are growing concerned that backing such a far-right and controversial candidate in the primaries could come back to bite them once the general election gets underway. “We’d be cooked,” said Minnesota Republican strategist Dustin Grage. “I’d be moving to Florida very shortly. We would lose pretty badly if Mike Lindell were to get the nomination.”

A GOP Minnesota governor has long been a goal for the party, with prospects seeming to grow rosier after Trump lost Minnesota by less than 2 points in 2016. But Democratic Gov. Tim Walz prevailed in 2018 and 2022, and though no governor of the state has ever won three consecutive terms, the former 2024 Vice Presidential candidate has already announced his run in 2026.

Read more: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/wed-be-cooked-gop-strategists-fear-trump-backed-mypillow-ceo-could-doom-minnesota-election/

[Mz Pip]

1. Lindell is a loyal MAGA

What’s not to like?🤷🏼‍♀️

[Biophilic]

2. You have to be a die hard MAGA not to know that this guy is nuts.

So you have the down to earth sane guy or pick the totally insane, flying nuts guy. I don't know Minnesota, that seems like a pretty easy choice, but than I thought the same about last year's presidential election.

[PSPS]

3. Yeah, musk could throw in some pocket change, like a hundred million.

That's how elections go these days. The biggest spender always wins, even if they're nuts and dangerous.

[NEOBuckeye]

9. Musk can't save Lindell

Let him waste his money.

[dflprincess]

11. Lindell is running in Minnesota, not MIchigan

And Minnesota has not voted for any Republican presidential candidate since Nixon in '72.

The only way Lindell would win is in a three way race, the way Ventura did.

[mdbl]

14. I stand corrected

Sorry.

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Good. nt

[OldBoss]

6. The PAC money will be insane ...

MN will likely be a top 3 campaign for Gov next year. IMHO Gov Walz is more vulnerable than he was in 2022. But fortunately, the MN GOP field may be worse than it was in 2022. I (volunteer) lobby for a non-profit 6-8 times a year in St. Paul and know a handful of GOP Senators and their staff. They're worried about Demuth stamina and have already written off Jensen and Qualls. Coleman seems to be a ‘please no’. Some like Knight ‘the outsider’.

Walz has the character and stamina to kick ass again, but he’s gonna need national help and I really hope we focus here.

[paleotn]

8. Yep. The PAC money will be insane. But after the Wisconsin Supreme Court election....

...I don't think that will matter nearly as much. The die has been cast. The regime is gargantuanly unpopular and anyone even remotely attached, even by just party affiliation, will have a hell of an up hill fight.

[paleotn]

7. Bad enough for any Republican in this climate. The Trump taint is hard for any of them to shake.

Lindell couldn't get elected to the select board of Bum Fuck Minnesota. It will be a disaster of biblical proportions if he wins nomination. Surely the R's won't let that happen, but they've done dumber things in the past.

Recent elections show the needle moving from +5 to +15 % points toward the Dems, making even once safe R districts, and state wide elections competitive. If Dems play their cards right and don't fuck it up, 2026 could be another 1994 in reverse. The regime seems primed to play their part in helping Dems take Congress by big numbers. Let them play their part.

[Aussie105]

10. Any R looking for election has a long list of currently active Trump negativities to counter.

He is accumulating 'bad boy' points by the day.
Not something 99% of voters can ignore.

Then again, D's looking for election or re-election could be accused of not trying hard enough to stop the Trump rot.

[patphil]

12. I don't think there is any way Mike Lindell can even come close to willing the Governors race in Minnisota.

He will be lucky to get 40% of the vote.
Probably 35%.

[Renew Deal]

13. I'm not convinced that Lindell can even win a primary.

Is anyone else running?

[fujiyamasan]

15. I think they're cooked regardless

I doubt Minneapolis and the surrounding areas are too thrilled about ICE crawling around everywhere. I know the state as a whole isn’t as liberal, but this can’t be playing well in other parts of the state either.