Mike Lindell, the founder of MyPillow (MYPL) and a Republican candidate for Minnesota governor, is no stranger to controversy. In a heated interview with ABC News on Monday, he defended his campaign record, his business background, and his long-standing focus on election integrity—topics that have defined his public persona since the 2020 election.

Lindell pushed back against questions about his third-place finish at the state GOP convention, insisting that his polling numbers tell a different story. "I've been polling number one since the first poll that was taken last year," he said. "People want change. They don't want the same old establishment candidates."

The conversation repeatedly circled back to his crusade against electronic voting machines. Lindell argued that his mission is not about overturning the 2020 election but about ensuring future elections are secure. "My whole quest is not to overturn the 2020 election is to get rid of electronic voting machines," he stated. When the reporter noted that courts and investigations have found no evidence of widespread machine-related fraud, Lindell rejected that characterization and accused the media of misrepresenting his position.

He also brought up the defamation case involving Dominion Voting Systems, suggesting that recent legal developments have been significant and pointing to what he called evidence supporting election vulnerabilities. The interview came just days after Dominion dropped its lawsuit against Lindell, a move he has framed as a victory.

Lindell defended his business credentials, highlighting his journey from entrepreneur to CEO of MyPillow and his ability to navigate years of legal and financial pressure. "I've built a company from nothing," he said, positioning himself as an outsider who can bring business sense to government.

Beyond the interview, Lindell is eyeing a slice of the $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund," a pot of money tied to a legal settlement involving former President Donald Trump. Lindell said he plans to apply for compensation over alleged business losses he estimates at $400 million. Several other Trump allies and critics have also indicated they will seek payouts, with former HHS official Michael Caputo becoming the first to formally request $2.7 million.

The Minnesota governor's race is also being reshaped by the departure of incumbent Governor Tim Walz. The Democrat announced he will not seek a third term amid a welfare-fraud scandal, saying he could not fully commit to a campaign and needed to focus on "defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity." Walz's exit leaves an open seat, intensifying the competition in both the GOP primary and the general election.

Lindell faces a crowded field of Republican contenders, but he remains confident. Whether his polling lead holds and his message resonates with voters beyond his base will be tested in the months ahead.