Republican governor candidate Jeff Johnson talks to a supporter Saturday afternoon at the Mower County Fair. — Trey Mewes/trey.mewes@austindailyherald.com

MINNEAPOLIS — Hennepin County commissioner Jeff Johnson has captured the Republican nomination for Minnesota governor over three major rivals.

Tuesday’s victory means Johnson advances to a fall showdown with Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton. It’s also a validation for the Republican Party, which endorsed Johnson this spring before what turned into the party’s first competitive primary for governor in 20 years.

Johnson beat former House Speaker Kurt Zellers, business executive Scott Honour and former House Minority Leader Marty Seifert (SY’-furt). Johnson benefited from the phone calls, canvassing and other outreach that came with party support and helped make up for better fundraising by some of his rivals.

It is Johnson’s second bid for statewide office. He lost in a 2006 campaign for attorney general. He has previously served in the Legislature.