Minnesota Supreme Court rejects Mike Lindell’s bid to recount GOP gubernatorial primary

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Saturday dismissed a request by MyPillow founder Mike Lindell to conduct a full recount of the state’s gubernatorial primary election, effectively ending his challenge to a 11-point loss to state House Speaker Lisa Demuth. The court ruled that Lindell’s claim lacked merit, with Chief Justice Natalie E. Hudson emphasizing that the recount process followed legal guidelines. The decision confirmed Demuth’s victory in the Republican primary by 45,000 votes, setting her up for a general election against Democratic nominee Senator Amy Klobuchar. Lindell, who has publicly disputed the results of the 2020 presidential election involving former President Donald Trump, had sought a manual recount of all ballots cast in the August 11 GOP primary. His legal team argued that the existing recount plan did not account for all candidates in the race and failed to address potential anomalies in the vote count. Lindell had previously committed to paying approximately $825,000 for a full hand recount and audit but withdrew his offer after learning that the recount would only involve ballots for him and Demuth. This led to a lawsuit filed against the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office and the State Canvassing Board, alleging a “bait-and-switch” tactic. The secretary of state’s office responded by asserting that the recount plan submitted to Lindell adhered to state laws and administrative rules. It noted that the plan, approved by the canvassing board on August 18, outlined a structured process for sorting and counting ballots. According to the ruling, ballots would first be divided between Democratic and Republican primary voters, with Republican ballots further separated into three groups: Lindell, Demuth, and other candidates. This method, according to Chief Justice Hudson, ensured that Lindell would have a clear understanding of his standing relative to Demuth while allowing for thorough examination of all ballots. Despite the court’s rejection of his recount request, Lindell expressed determination to continue challenging the outcome. In a phone interview with NBC News, he stated his intention to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. Additionally, he announced plans to seek data from all 87 counties via the Freedom of Information Act to conduct an independent review of the election data. Lindell emphasized his willingness to bear financial burdens, saying, “I’m willing to pay even more money. I don’t care what it costs.” This latest legal maneuver comes amid a history of litigation surrounding Lindell’s public skepticism of election integrity. Before launching his gubernatorial campaign, he faced multiple lawsuits for spreading false claims about the 2020 election being manipulated by voting machines. In June 2025, he was found to have defamed a former employee of Dominion Voting Systems, though he has denied the allegations. Separately, Lindell has also been ordered to pay $56,369 in sanctions to Smartmatic USA Corp., a voting machine company, and continues to owe additional fees due to non-payment. Lindell’s ongoing efforts to scrutinize election processes reflect broader patterns of distrust toward electoral systems, particularly among certain political figures. His actions have drawn criticism from officials and legal experts, who argue that such challenges often lack substantial evidence and can undermine public confidence in democratic institutions. As the legal battle unfolds, the focus remains on the procedural legitimacy of the recount process and the extent to which Lindell’s demands align with established electoral standards. The Minnesota Supreme Court’s ruling stands as a definitive step in resolving the immediate dispute, leaving the path forward uncertain for Lindell and his supporters.