Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson has suspended his campaign after his 22-year-old daughter, Hallie Marie Tobler, was found fatally stabbed in her St. Cloud apartment last weekend, authorities and officials said.
St. Cloud police responded Saturday night to reports of a stabbing at the residence where Tobler, who was married, was discovered with multiple stab wounds and pronounced deceased at the scene. Her husband, 23-year-old Dylan Michael Tobler, was also found with wounds that police believe were self-inflicted and was transported to St. Cloud Hospital.
Authorities expect to charge him with second-degree murder once he is released from medical care.
“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 Minnesota Republican Party said in a statement.
“We ask all Minnesotans to join us in lifting up the Johnson family during this incredibly painful time,” the party’s statement added, noting further that Johnson was suspending his campaign.
“The Johnson family is walking through an unspeakable tragedy right now and my prayers are with them every step of the way. As a parent, I can’t imagine the grief and devastation they’re experiencing right now,” Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth said.
Peggy Bennett, a fellow Republican gubernatorial candidate, issued a statement Monday, saying, in part: “I cannot even imagine the heartbreak and sorrow that Jeff and his family are experiencing right now. My heart breaks for them.”
“I am heartbroken for Jeff and his family over this horrifying tragedy,” Minnesota Representative Kristin Robbins, who was running against Johnson for the nomination, stated on X. “I can’t imagine their grief. Please join Brent and me in praying for Jeff and his family. May God be their refuge and strength in the days ahead.”
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar — widely viewed as the frontrunner in the governor’s race — shared that she and her family were praying for all those who loved Hallie during what she called an “unimaginably difficult time.”
Johnson, a former St. Cloud city councilman who had been seeking the Republican nomination in the 2026 Minnesota gubernatorial election, announced he was ending his campaign to focus on his family following the tragedy. The Minnesota Republican Party issued a statement expressing sorrow and asking the public to support Johnson and his family during the difficult time.
Leaders from both parties offered condolences, and political figures including Amy Klobuchar and other GOP candidates also shared messages of sympathy.
Officials continue to investigate the fatal stabbing, and law enforcement urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Klobuchar announced last month that she is entering the race for governor of Minnesota, following Gov. Tim Walz’s decision not to seek a third term amid mounting scrutiny over a large-scale fraud scandal involving state-administered programs.
Klobuchar, who has represented Minnesota in the U.S. Senate since 2007, said her decision was driven by what she described as a need for “steady leadership” at the state level.
“These times call for leaders who can stand up and not be rubber stamps of this administration, but who are also willing to find common ground and fix things in our state,” she said, per Fox News.
“I’m running for everyone who wants more affordable healthcare, for every student, farmer, dreamer, and builder,” she said, alleging the Trump administration “relishes division” and chaos. “And I’m running for every Minnesotan who wants ICE and its abusive tactics out of the state we love.”
Her announcement comes as Minnesota officials continue to face criticism over failures in oversight connected to alleged misuse of taxpayer funds tied to federal nutrition, health care, and social service programs.
