Mike Lindell Withholds $825,000 for Minnesota Gubernatorial Recount

Candidate Mike Lindell missed the Monday deadline to formally request and fund a recount of the Minnesota Republican gubernatorial primary after finishing second to House Speaker Lisa Demuth. Lindell is withholding a required $825,000 payment, arguing that the recount plan is unlawful because it only includes votes cast for the top two candidates rather than all seven candidates on the ballot.

Lindell claims the narrow scope prevents the investigation of patterns and anomalies he believes indicate irregularities across the entire field. He has requested a deadline waiver until a court can rule on the recount parameters, describing the state's approach as an unlawful bait and switch.

The office of Secretary of State Steve Simon maintains that the plan, which was approved by the State Canvassing Board on August 18, follows state law and administrative rules. Officials noted the procedure is consistent with plans used for the past two decades and reported no official findings of fraud or irregularity. Current results show Demuth with 179,683 votes and Lindell with 134,282 votes, a gap of approximately 11 points. Demuth will face Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar in the November general election.