Mike Lindell feuds with Minnesota officials over terms of a ...

Mike Lindell to Sue Minnesota Secretary of State Over Recount Dispute

Mike Lindell, the founder of MyPillow, announced he will seek a temporary restraining order against Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, escalating a dispute over the terms of a Republican primary recount. Lindell, who lost the GOP nomination to Lisa Demuth in the August 11 primary, has withheld an $825,000 payment for the recount, saying the state's plan would not count all votes by name.

Lindell, speaking in a phone interview, said he was ready to wire the money and provided a photo of the planned transfer to a state account_in a photo provided to a reporter. However, he held back final authorization after a morning call with the Secretary of State's Office about the recount plan.

At issue is the scope of the recount. Under the plan approved by the State Canvassing Board, only ballots cast for Lindell and Demuth would be recorded by name in a hand recount; all other votes would be grouped into a third column. Lindell objected, saying, "It's not just about us two. I'm not paying for what they're calling a recount."

His campaign argued that the proposed scope violates state law, citing a statute that defines a recount as determining "the number of votes validly cast for the office or question to be recounted." Lindell's campaign said the state's approach put Lindell in an "untenable position" regarding the deadline and legal scope.

Secretary of State's Office spokesperson Cassondra Knudson defended the plan, saying it "follows state law and administrative rules and is consistent with plans for the past two decades." The plan, approved by the State Canvassing Board on August 18, provides for a hand recount of primary ballots; under the plan, only votes for Lindell and Demuth would be recorded by name, with all other votes placed into a third column.

Lindell's campaign contends the proposed scope violates a state law that defines a recount as determining "the number of votes validly cast for the office or question to be recounted." He argues the recount should include all votes cast in the race, not just the ballots for the two leading candidates.

Lindell's campaign said the Secretary of State's office put him in an "untenable position" by setting a Monday deadline for both requesting and paying for the recount. Secretary of State General Counsel Lauren Bethke (reported in some accounts as Bethke, though the name may be a variation on Simon's staff) set the deadline. The campaign says the deadline left insufficient time to challenge the plan through legal channels while preserving the right to a recount.

Lindell's push for a full recount comes amid broader legal challenges. He and his running mate have filed election contest litigation in district court and the state Supreme Court.

The State Canvassing Board certified Demuth's win last week, advancing her to the general election against DFL nominee Amy Klobuchar and the Green Party's Steven Young.

Lindell is known for prior efforts to discredit election results, dating back to the 2020 presidential race. Those actions earned him the admiration and endorsement of President Donald Trump, though that support was not enough to secure him the Republican nomination in the gubernatorial primary.

A spokesperson for the Secretary of State's office, Cassondra Knudson, defended the recount plan: "Our office provided the contingent recount plan to Mr. Lindell after it was approved by the State Canvassing Board on August 18. The plan follows state law and administrative rules for recounts and is consistent with plans of its kind for the past two decades."

No official findings of fraud or irregularities have been made in the primary results. Lindell's claims of "irregularities" — including votes moving backwards, unusual synchronized vote totals across the seven Republican candidates, and counties reporting more votes than cast — have not been substantiated by official authorities.

Lindell faces a tight timeline: he had until Monday to formally seek and pay for the recount, a deadline he did not meet as he pursues the temporary restraining order instead. His campaign described the payment as "primed and ready," but said it would not be made until the scope of the recount is resolved.

The Secretary of State's office maintains that the plan follows state law and administrative rules, noting it was approved by the State Canvassing Board on August 18. The office spokesperson declined to comment on the pending litigation.

As the dispute heads to court, the primary results stand certified, with Demuth advancing to the general election against DFL nominee Amy Klobuchar and the Green Party's Steven Young.

This is a developing story.