Lindell says there is no ambiguity about where his priorities now lie.
“I will be no longer involved in any way, shape or form. I will be running for governor. I’m all in for governor, I will just be a minority stockholder,” Lindell told KSTP, adding, “my company is stronger than ever.”
The decision represents a significant shift for the businessman who built MyPillow into one of Minnesota’s best-known consumer brands.
Lindell founded the company in 2004 and became its most recognizable public face, appearing in countless advertisements and promotional campaigns. Now, with the Republican primary approaching, he is stepping away from day-to-day management in an effort to campaign without the demands of running the company competing for his attention.
In a statement posted on X, Lindell framed the decision as a personal sacrifice for his political ambitions.
“Today, I’ve made one of the biggest decisions of my life. I’m stepping down as CEO of MyPillow so I can devote 100% of my time and energy to my campaign for Governor of Minnesota,” he wrote on X.
He also emphasized that he does not view the move as abandoning the business he spent years building.
In the company’s statement, he added, “this decision is not about walking away. It is about stepping forward to serve.”
MyPillow will now turn to familiar leadership.
Former MyPillow President James Furlong is returning as chief executive. Furlong previously held the position from 2004 until 2019, giving him extensive experience with the company and its operations.
Justin Butler is also stepping into a new role as chief financial officer.
For Lindell, the timing is unmistakable. Minnesota’s Republican primary is scheduled for Aug. 11, and early voting is already underway.
The race has taken a dramatic turn since President Donald Trump endorsed Lindell in July.
Trump’s endorsement immediately elevated Lindell’s campaign and helped reshape the Republican contest. Lindell is competing against Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth and businessman Kendall Qualls, who previously secured the Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement.
Recent polling suggests Lindell enters the final days of the primary with considerable momentum.
A KSTP/SurveyUSA poll conducted in July put Lindell at 35% among Republican primary voters. Demuth followed with 26%, while Qualls registered 11%. The poll also showed Lindell gaining ground compared with an earlier SurveyUSA survey.
That lead, however, has not eliminated the political turbulence surrounding his campaign.
Lindell has faced questions over whether he satisfies Minnesota’s residency requirements to run for governor. The Minnesota Republican Party asked Secretary of State Steve Simon for clarification regarding his eligibility.
Lindell has strongly rejected the challenge, describing it as “a lie” and “a hit job.”
The controversy is just one of several obstacles confronting the campaign.
Lindell is also dealing with a separate campaign-finance complaint stemming from a Fourth of July parade in Delano. The complaint alleges that he distributed pillows bearing “Mike Lindell for Governor” branding to people in the crowd.
The issue could provide additional ammunition to opponents who have already questioned whether Lindell can successfully navigate the intense scrutiny that comes with a statewide campaign.
Yet Lindell has shown little indication that the controversies are slowing him down.
Instead, his decision to relinquish control of MyPillow underscores how seriously he is treating the final stage of the Republican primary.
For years, Lindell’s business career and political activism have been closely intertwined. His outspoken support for Trump transformed him from a successful businessman into one of the most recognizable figures in the former president’s political movement.
Trump’s endorsement has now given Lindell a powerful boost heading into the primary, while the latest polling indicates that he has established himself as the Republican candidate to beat.
But a primary victory would only be the beginning.
The eventual Republican nominee will face a difficult general election campaign in Minnesota, where Democrats remain competitive statewide. Lindell’s opponents are likely to argue that his polarizing national profile could make it harder for Republicans to win in November.
For now, however, Lindell is betting everything on the primary.
By stepping down as CEO and reducing his stake in the company he founded, he is making a clear statement that the governor’s race has become his central priority.
MyPillow will move forward under new leadership.
Lindell will move forward on the campaign trail.
And with the Aug. 11 Republican primary rapidly approaching, Minnesota voters are about to decide whether the “MyPillow Guy” will trade his business empire for a chance to lead the state.
