Mike Lindell faces a probable cause hearing on August 3 regarding a campaign finance complaint over his practice of distributing pillows at parades during his Minnesota gubernatorial bid. An administrative law judge ruled July 31 that there is evidence of a “prima facie violation” of state campaign finance law after a citizen filed a complaint following the July 4 giveaway in Delano.
The complaint alleges Lindell directly distributed pillows marked “Mike Lindell for Governor” from a parade float decorated with campaign signs, with each pillow valued at $34.95. Minnesota state law prohibits giving away items of monetary value to induce voters to support a particular candidate.
Lindell told local media in June that his campaign sought an opinion from the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board before beginning the pillow giveaways. A board spokesperson declined to confirm whether such an opinion was requested, citing privacy rules.
The MyPillow founder has used the giveaways as an unconventional campaign tactic, purchasing 2,500 mini-pillows from his own company at $4.50 each. Lindell has argued the items are promotional merchandise similar to hats or shirts, no different from campaign literature distribution. “These aren’t full-size pillows. They’re little pillows just like if you gave away a hat or a shirt or anything,” he said in June.
Hamline University Law Professor David Schultz, a campaign finance expert, identified multiple legal concerns with the strategy. “There’s lots of red flags there. Lots of questions that we have, but certainly on the surface it raises all kinds of questions about the legality of what he did,” Schultz told local media in June. The professor cited potential violations in inducing voters, purchasing products from Lindell’s own company with campaign funds, and possibly obtaining them at prices unavailable to the public.
Lindell is leading the Republican primary for Minnesota governor with 35 percent support, according to a July 22 poll. He received an endorsement from President Donald Trump on July 15. The probable cause hearing before Administrative Law Judge Nicholas B. Lienesch will allow the citizen complainant and Lindell’s campaign to present arguments before the judge determines whether to proceed with a full enforcement action.
Sources
- KSTP — reporting on the probable cause hearing, prima facie violation ruling, and expert commentary from David Schultz
- KAAL — reporting on Lindell’s claim of seeking Campaign Finance Board opinion and Schultz’s analysis of legal concerns
- CBS Minnesota — confirmation of complaint filing date and parade incident details
- The Guardian — Trump endorsement of Lindell on July 15, 2026
- Ballotpedia — polling data showing Lindell’s 35 percent support in Republican primary
