ST. PAUL — There’s a change at the top of Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson’s campaign with six weeks to go in the race.

Johnson announced Friday that he was switching campaign managers. Former state Sen. David Gaither is taking over for political operative Scot Crockett.

Gaither was a chief of staff to former GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty. He tried to return to the Minnesota Senate in 2012 but lost that race and has been leading an immigrant education academy in Minneapolis.

Crockett had been atop Johnson’s campaign since he gained the party’s endorsement in May. He is moving back to Virginia.

Johnson has trailed Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton in the race.