The Minnesota Supreme Court has rejected MyPillow founder Mike Lindell’s attempt to force a full recount of the Republican gubernatorial primary, which he lost to state House Speaker Lisa Demuth by a significant margin. The decision, issued Saturday, upholds the state’s recount plan and clears the way for Demuth to face Democratic nominee Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the general election.
Court Ruling and Rationale
Chief Justice Natalie E. Hudson wrote a six-page ruling stating that the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office and the State Canvassing Board provided a recount plan that complies with state law and administrative rules. The court found no evidence of a “wrongful act, omission, or error” as Lindell had claimed. Hudson emphasized that Lindell’s concerns about “anomalies” in the election data do not justify expanding the recount beyond what the law requires.
Recount Plan Details
The approved recount plan, which was submitted to Lindell on August 18, outlines a process where ballots are first sorted by party primary, then Republican ballots are divided into three piles: one for Lindell, one for Demuth, and one for all other candidates. Hudson noted that this process ensures all ballots are counted and subject to challenge, and that Lindell would know whether he won against Demuth after the count.
Lindell’s Response and Next Steps
In a phone call with NBC News, Lindell stated he plans to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. He also mentioned that his team will request election data from all 87 counties through the Freedom of Information Act to conduct an independent investigation. Lindell expressed willingness to cover the costs, saying, “I’m willing to pay even more money. I don’t care what it costs.”
Financial and Legal Background
Lindell had previously pledged to pay an estimated $825,000 for a full hand recount and audit but declined to pay by the state’s deadline, citing that the recount would only count ballots for him and Demuth, not all candidates in the seven-person field. He filed a lawsuit against the Secretary of State’s office, alleging a “bait-and-switch.” The Secretary of State’s office defended the plan, stating it follows state law and is consistent with previous recounts.
This is not Lindell’s first legal battle over election integrity. He has faced multiple lawsuits for spreading debunked claims about the 2020 presidential election, including a defamation case where he was found liable for defaming a former Dominion Voting Systems employee. Additionally, Lindell has refused to pay $56,369 in sanctions to Smartmatic USA Corp., and now owes more in court fees.
Implications for the Gubernatorial Race
With the court’s decision, Demuth’s victory in the primary is confirmed, and she will proceed to the general election against Klobuchar. The ruling reinforces the integrity of the recount process and dismisses Lindell’s allegations of irregularities.