MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell steps down to focus on gubernatorial campaign

Aug. 5 (UPI) — Mike Lindell is leaving his role as CEO of MyPillow to focus on his campaign for Minnesota governor, he said Wednesday.

The company said Lindell, who founded MyPillow in 2004, would reduce his ownership to a minority stake. He will remain a shareholder and member of the board of directors.

“Minnesota deserves my full attention, and that’s exactly what I’m giving it,” Lindell said in a statement on X. “I’m all in, and I can’t wait to earn your vote.”

MyPillow will be helmed by James Furlong, who was the company’s president from 2004 to 2019.

“Real leadership means knowing when to lead, when to trust your team, and when to put a larger calling first,” Lindell said. “I trust Jim and the board to protect our employees, our customers and our Minnesota roots.

“My focus now is clear, which is to listen to Minnesotans, earn their trust, and work every day to become a governor worthy of our state.”

Lindell’s campaign has not been without its hitches.

On Tuesday, the Republican Party of Minnesota requested “urgent guidance” from election officials on residency rules for candidates, CBS News reported.

Party Chairman Alex Plechash said there were concerns that Lindell had been listed as a Texas resident as recently as November.

“Given that Mr. Lindell’s own filing describes him as a Texas citizen, that a separate sworn complaint places his domicile in Texas, and that he is a registered voter in Texas, voters in Minnesota are entitled to clear guidance on the governing residency standard before they cast a ballot — not after,” Plechash wrote in a letter to Secretary of State Steve Simon, CBS News reported.

In response, Lindell told WCCO the allegations were a “lie” and a “hit job.”

“You know, this has been gone over by our own GOP,” he told the CBS affiliate. “This has been gone over by attorneys. I moved here, and you got the pay stubs.”

President Donald Trump endorsed Lindell in July, calling him “one of America’s greatest and most hard-working patriots.”

“Early Primary Voting has begun and, if given the chance, Mike will be SPECTACULAR!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He truly loves Minnesota, as do I, and wants to bring it back from oblivion and embarr***ment.”

Lindell is campaigning against businessman Kendall Qualls and Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth.

The winner of the Aug. 11 primary will likely face Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the November election.