Republican Gubernatorial Hopeful Required Emergency Surgery

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.