Khaberni - Gene Johnson, the Republican candidate for Governor of Minnesota, announced the suspension of his 2026 electoral campaign following the stabbing death of his young daughter in a tragic incident that shook the state.
According to the "New York Post," quoting the Saint Cloud police, Hailey Marie Topler (22 years old) was found dead after a report of a medical emergency, with initial investigations revealing that the victim had sustained multiple fatal stab wounds at the scene.
The police added that her husband, Dylan Michael Topler (23 years old), was found in the apartment with serious injuries believed to be self-inflicted stabs in what the authorities described as a failed attempt to kill his wife and commit suicide. The husband was taken to hospital in critical condition, before his condition later stabilized. He was officially arrested and is expected to face murder charges upon being discharged from the hospital.
In a statement issued last Monday, the Republican Party administration confirmed that Johnson had decided to suspend his electoral campaign due to the loss of his daughter, stating, "Our hearts are with Gene Johnson and his family during this difficult time, and with full respect for the magnitude of the tragedy, he has decided to suspend his campaign for Governor of Minnesota."
Johnson, a former member of the Saint Cloud city council, had launched his campaign in March 2025, focusing on crime, immigration, and fraud issues, at a time when the state is experiencing increasing tensions due to immigration law enforcement operations.
