Surgery lands GOP candidate Johnson in hospital

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Republican candidate for Minnesota governor is recovering after emergency surgery to repair a small perforation in his stomach.

Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson was resting after a successful procedure on Monday afternoon at Maple Grove Hospital. Johnson checked himself into the hospital earlier Monday.

Scot Crockett, his campaign manager, says Johnson will remain hospitalized “for a short period of time.” Crockett could not elaborate on how long Johnson’s recovery will last.

Johnson’s surgery comes just three weeks before an Aug. 12 primary to select the Republican candidate who will challenge Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton in November. Johnson has the GOP endorsement. State Rep. and former House Speaker Kurt Zellers, former House Minority Leader Marty Seifert and Orono businessman Scott Honour also are running in the primary.

Here is a statement from the Jeff Johnson Campaign:

“Early this morning, Jeff went to urgent care with abdominal pain. After an initial consultation with doctors, it was determined that he would need surgery and was moved to the Maple Grove Hospital.  During the surgery, doctors found a small perforation in Jeff’s stomach. The perforation was repaired and Jeff is now out of surgery.  Jeff is currently resting at the hospital with his family.”