Minnesota Governor Candidate Ends Campaign After Daughter Found Murdered

Dr. Jeff Johnson, a Republican candidate for Minnesota governor, ended his campaign on Monday after his 22-year-old daughter was murdered over the weekend.

Hallie Marie Tober, Johnson’s daughter, was stabbed to death on Saturday in her St. Cloud home. Police say they believe she was killed by her husband, who was found in the home with what appear to be self-inflicted knife wounds. 

Johnson, a former city councilman for St. Cloud, suspended his campaign in the days following the tragedy, the Minnesota Republican Party said on Monday. 

“There are no words that can adequately express the sorrow we feel for Jeff and his family. The loss of a child is unimaginable, and our thoughts and prayers are with them as they grieve this devastating tragedy,” the party said in a statement. 

“Out of respect for his family and the enormity of this loss, Jeff has suspended his campaign for Governor of Minnesota,” the party added. “We ask all Minnesotans to join us in lifting up the Johnson family during this incredibly painful time.”

On Sunday, the St. Cloud Police Department said that Hallie and her husband, 23-year-old Dylan Michael Tobler, were found in their locked apartment building when police responded to a call for emergency medical services. Hallie was dead when police arrived, and Tobler was injured. 

“Based on the investigation, it is believed that Dylan’s injuries are self-inflicted and that he is the person responsible for Hallie’s injuries and death,” the police department said, adding that he was at St. Cloud Hospital in stable condition under the custody of law enforcement. 

After his release from the hospital, police said that Tobler would be transported to Stearns County Jail to be held for homicide related charges. Police are still investigating the case with the assistance of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Johnson was one of the Republican candidates vying to replace outgoing Democratic Governor Tim Walz. In a recent caucus, he took less than one percent of the vote. The top performers in the caucus were Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, veteran Kendall Qualls, and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. 

On the Democrat side, Senator Amy Klobuchar launched a bid for governor after Walz announced he would not seek re-election amid scrutiny over his handling of suspected welfare fraud.