MyPillow founder Mike Lindell comes up short in GOP primary for Minnesota governor

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - State House Speaker Lisa Demuth won the Republican nomination for Minnesota governor, defeating MyPillow founder Mike Lindell in a rare loss for a Republican primary candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Demuth argued that she’s the most electable and experienced Republican candidate, pointing to her role as a legislative leader. She became speaker in a power-sharing agreement for the Minnesota House, which is split evenly between Republicans and Democrats.

Some Minnesota Republicans worried Lindell would be unable to win over independents and moderate Republicans who reject the 2020 election lies he’s best-known for promoting, potentially dragging down the entire GOP ticket.

She will face Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who had no serious opposition for the Democratic nomination. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz dropped his re-election campaign in the aftermath of a fraud scandal involving the widespread theft of tax money his administration gave to organizations that were supposed to use it for social welfare programs.