Overview

• Lindell told the Star Tribune he is "about 99% there" on a decision and has polled hypothetical matchups with Gov. Tim Walz and GOP rivals.
• He says he reestablished Minnesota residency after living in Texas, where records show he was registered to vote since January 2023; state law requires one year of residency before the general election.
• If he files, he says he would run on "secure elections" and "common sense," a posture consistent with his push to replace voting machines with hand-counted ballots.
• Legal and financial strains persist, including a $2.3 million defamation verdict pending appeal and his testimony that he is roughly $10 million in debt, with additional litigation still active.
• A bid would enter an already crowded GOP primary featuring Scott Jensen, Kristin Robbins, Kendall Qualls, Phillip Parrish and Brad Kohler, as Walz seeks a third term and publicly downplayed Lindell’s potential run.