Republican candidate Mike Lindell balked Monday at a recount at his expense in the governor’s race primary after he objected to a state-approved plan for one.
Lindell had until midnight to formally seek and pay for one.
The MyPillow founder said Monday evening he would sue over the terms of the potential recount. Lindell lost the GOP nomination for governor to House Speaker Lisa Demuth by about 45,000 votes in the Aug. 11 primary.
Because of the margin, he must pay for a recount upfront. He said he was ready to wire $825,000 and provided a photo of the planned transfer to a state account.
But he held back on giving final authorization after his team and the Secretary of State’s Office conducted a morning call about the recount plan. Lindell didn’t agree with the format that only Lindell and Demuth votes would be recorded by name in a hand recount of primary ballots.
Other votes would go into a third column, according to the discretionary recount plan adopted last week by a state board.
“It’s not just about us two,” Lindell said in a phone interview. “I’m not paying for what they’re calling a recount.”
Lindell said he is seeking an emergency court injunction.
The Secretary of State's Office said the recount plan mirrors past ones.
“Our office provided the contingent recount plan to Mr. Lindell after it was approved by the State Canvassing Board on August 18,” said office spokesperson Cassondra Knudson. “The plan follows state law and administrative rules on recount procedures and is consistent with plans of its kind for the past two decades.”
The recount isn’t Lindell’s only avenue for challenging the primary. He and his running mate have also filed election contest litigation in district court and the state Supreme Court.
Lindell is known for prior efforts to discredit election results, dating to the 2020 presidential race. Those actions earned him the admiration and endorsement of President Donald Trump, which wasn’t enough to put him over the top.
The canvassing board certified Demuth's win last week. That advanced her to a general election ballot with DFL nominee Amy Klobuchar and the Green Party's Steven Young.
