A St. Cloud politician has suspended his gubernatorial campaign after his daughter’s tragic death in a domestic violence incident over the weekend.
Former St. Cloud City Council member and Republican gubernatorial candidate Dr. Jeff Johnson announced that he is suspending his campaign after his 22-year-old daughter, Haley Tobler, was stabbed to death in St. Cloud on Saturday evening.
According to the St. Cloud Police Department, officers responded to what was initially reported as a medical emergency at an apartment in the 3100 block of 40th Avenue South. When first responders arrived, they found Haley suffering from a stab wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said Haley’s husband, 23-year-old Dylan Tobler, was also found at the residence with what investigators believe was a suicide stabbing. He was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment and is expected to be taken to the Stearns County Jail after being released. Authorities believe he was responsible for the stabbing, although formal charges had not been filed as of Monday morning.
According to state marriage records, Haley and Dylan Tobler were married in November 2021.
In a statement posted to Facebook, the Minnesota Republican Party confirmed that Dr. Johnson had suspended his campaign to honor his family during this profound loss.
“There are no words to adequately express the grief we feel for Jeff and his family,” the statement said. “The loss of a child is unimaginable. Out of respect for his family and the enormity of this loss, Jeff has suspended his campaign for governor of Minnesota.”
Party leaders thanked first responders and law enforcement and offered their condolences to the public as the investigation continues.
According to a recent interview with the St. Cloud Times, before suspending his campaign, Johnson had been campaigning on a variety of issues, including crime, fraud and economic challenges facing Minnesota.
The investigation into Haley Tobler’s death is still ongoing.