Mike Lindell Steps Down As MyPillow CEO To Focus On Bid For Minnesota Governor

Interesting governor, mike lindell, minnesota, mypillow, republican admin August 5, 2026 0 Comments

Mike Lindell Steps Down As MyPillow CEO To Focus On Bid For Minnesota Governor

MyPillow founder Mike Lindell is handing off the company he built to chase the Minnesota governor’s office full-time.

The Republican candidate announced Tuesday, in a company statement, that he would relinquish his role atop the pillow maker he launched in 2004 and cut his ownership down to a minority position, according to CBS Minnesota. He will keep a seat on the board of directors. (RELATED: ‘MyPillow’ Guy Mike Lindell Proposes Deportation Moratorium If He Wins Minnesota Gov Race)

Lindell spelled out the terms of his exit in an interview with KSTP.

“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,” he told the station, adding, “my company is stronger than ever.” James Furlong, who ran MyPillow as president from 2004 to 2019, returns to take over as chief executive, while Justin Butler signs on as chief financial officer, Fox 9 reported.

The candidate framed the handoff as a matter of priorities.

“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. In the company statement, he added, “this decision is not about walking away. It is about stepping forward to serve.”

Voters head to the polls Aug. 11, with early ballots already being cast, according to CBS Minnesota. President Donald Trump backed Lindell in July over party-endorsed businessman Kendall Qualls and House Speaker Lisa Demuth. The most recent KSTP/SurveyUSA survey put Lindell in front at 35%, nine points clear of Demuth, with Qualls trailing at 11%, The Hill reported, citing a poll conducted by KSTP/SurveyUSA.

Lindell’s campaign has drawn scrutiny on two fronts. The state GOP asked Secretary of State Steve Simon to clarify residency rules for candidates, questioning Lindell’s status, according to CBS Minnesota. Lindell rejected the challenge in remarks to WCCO, calling it “a lie” and “a hit job.” A separate complaint alleges he broke campaign law by tossing pillows packaged with “Mike Lindell for Governor” branding to the crowd at a Fourth of July parade in Delano, Fox 9 reported.