Tragedy and Reshuffling: Minnesota’s 2026 Gubernatorial Race Upended

A horrific act of domestic violence in St. Cloud has led to a major shift in the 2026 Minnesota governor’s race. On Monday, February 9, 2026, Republican candidate Jeff Johnson (a former St. Cloud City Council member) suspended his campaign following the death of his 22-year-old daughter, Hallie Marie Tobler.

The St. Cloud Homicide Investigation

The incident occurred on Saturday evening, February 7, at an apartment on 40th Avenue South.

• The Victim: Hallie Marie Tobler was found dead inside a locked apartment with multiple stab wounds.
• The Suspect: Her husband, 23-year-old Dylan Michael Tobler, was found in the same apartment with self-inflicted stab wounds.
• Legal Status: Dylan remains in police custody in stable condition at a local hospital and is expected to face homicide charges upon his release.
• Community Reaction: The Minnesota Republican Party and Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar—currently the frontrunner for governor—have both issued statements of deep condolence, describing the loss as an “unimaginable tragedy.”

GOP Field Reshuffles: Jensen Pivots to Auditor

Coinciding with the tragedy, the Republican primary field saw another high-profile exit. Scott Jensen, the GOP’s 2022 nominee for governor, announced on Monday that he is dropping his bid for the governorship to run for State Auditor instead.

• Straw Poll Struggles: Jensen’s decision follows a distant fourth-place finish in last week’s precinct caucus straw poll, where he earned only 6% of the vote.
• The “Watchdog” Strategy: Jensen cited the need for a “watchdog” to address waste and fraud in state government. He will now compete for the open seat vacated by DFL State Auditor Julie Blaha, who is not seeking re-election.

State of the 2026 Gubernatorial Race

With Tim Walz retiring, the race has become a primary focus for both parties. Following the recent exits, the field stands as follows: