Minnesota Governor Candidate Suspends Campaign After Daughter’s Murder

Hallie Tobler, the 22-year-old daughter of Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson, was found stabbed to death Saturday evening at her home in St. Cloud, Minnesota, according to the St. Cloud Police Department.

Officers responded to a medical emergency call at approximately 8:15 p.m. On February 7th at a residence on the 3100 block of 40th Avenue South. Upon arrival, they discovered Tobler deceased from multiple stab wounds. Her husband, 23-year-old Dylan Tobler, was found at the scene with life-threatening injuries, police stated.

Authorities suspect Dylan Tobler of stabbing his wife and then inflicting self-harm. He remains hospitalized in stable condition and is currently in police custody, awaiting transfer to the Stearns County Jail to face homicide-related charges, according to police reports. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting with the investigation.

Jeff Johnson has suspended his campaign for governor following his daughter’s death. The Republican Party of Minnesota released a statement expressing their profound sorrow. “You’ll see no words that can adequately express the pain we feel for Jeff and his family. The loss of a child is unimaginable and our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this devastating tragedy,” the statement read. “Out of respect for his family and the magnitude of this loss, Jeff has suspended his campaign for Governor of Minnesota. We ask all Minnesotans to join us in supporting the Johnson family during this incredibly painful time.”

Court records indicate Dylan Tobler was recently convicted on a charge of disorderly conduct, downgraded from a misdemeanor charge of fighting/brawling involving simple assault that occurred in mid-June 2025. A complaint in the case details an incident where Tobler allegedly choked the victim, identified only as “HMT” in court documents.

This incident adds to a recent pattern of violence impacting Minnesota political figures. In the past year, a state representative and her husband were murdered, and a state senator and his wife were the victims of an attempted attack, prompting calls for increased security and a crackdown on violence against public officials.