Minnesota gubernatorial candidate suspends his campaign after his daughter is found fatally stabbed

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Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson announced Monday that he was suspending his campaign after his daughter was found fatally stabbed.

Hallie Marie Tobler, 22, was found dead with multiple stab wounds over the weekend in her apartment in St. Cloud, Minnesota, roughly 65 miles northwest of Minneapolis, according to the St. Cloud Police Department.

Her husband, Dylan Tobler, 23, was found inside the apartment with self-inflicted stab wounds. He was charged Tuesday with one count of second-degree murder in connection with his wife’s killing.

He was hospitalized in stable condition and in police custody. Police said he will be transferred to a nearby jail upon his release from the hospital. It is not immediately clear if Dylan Tobler was released from the hospital as of Tuesday morning. His attorney did not immediately return a request for comment.

Johnson is a former St. Cloud City Council member who launched his bid for the Republican nomination for governor in March.

The Minnesota Republican Party said in a statement that Johnson was canceling his campaign after his daughter’s death.

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

“We ask all Minnesotans to join us in lifting up the Johnson family during this incredibly painful time,” the party added.

Hallie and Dylan Tobler got engaged in 2021 after dating for five years, according to a Facebook post from Johnson’s wife. The couple appears to have been married in November of that year.

The fatal stabbing comes amid an immigration crackdown in the state that has kept Minnesota and its governor’s race in the headlines.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate, dropped his bid for re-election last month, citing heightened attention to a fraud scandal in the state.

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is running for governor, released a statement on Tobler’s death in a post on X.

“My condolences to Jeff Johnson and his entire family for the loss of their daughter on Saturday night,” Klobuchar said. “John and I are praying for all those who loved her during this unimaginably difficult time.”