Axios
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell moves the goal posts in a race for Minnesota governor – again
Speculation goes-or-doesn’t-want around possible government management by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, is destined to continue at least a little longer. What he’s saying: Lindell told Axios that his focus is currently on proving his (baseless) allegations of electoral fraud. He will not make a decision until the fight is resolved. Get smarter and faster with the news that CEOs, entrepreneurs and politicians read. Sign up for Axios Newsletters here. * “Why would anyone want to run if they had the same electoral fraud machines?” Lindell said Friday. * “Everything will come out and, when that happens, we’ll see what elections will have to be done with paper ballots and without machines. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense to put everyone’s resources and time.” Between the lines: while he is leaving the door open, Lindell’s comments create a path for rejection. Why it matters: If Lindell runs, name recognition and his ties to Trump could give him an advantage among Republican voters. * Many top Republican officials and consultants think that having the unpredictable pillow seller at the top of the list would spell disaster for their efforts to win across the state in 2022. How we got here: Lindell has been flirting with an offer for months, but his commitment with the promotion of conspiracy theories about the 2020 election – including a heavily covered visit to the White House – sparked legal reactions and problems for their businesses. * Last fall, Lindell said he would run if Trump won another term. Then, in early January, he told the Star Tribune that he was “90-95%” sure he would take action and decide “as soon as we know that Donald Trump is our president”. Support safe, smart and sensible journalism. Sign up for Axios Newsletters here.