Jackson Lahmeyer withdraws from Oklahoma GOP House runoff after reports of inappropriate texts
Lahmeyer ended his campaign after Trump switched support to Mark Tedford and a scandal surfaced over flirtatious texts, according to reports.
- On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, Tulsa-area pastor Jackson Lahmeyer suspended his campaign for Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District one day after advancing to a Republican primary runoff.
- Lahmeyer's withdrawal followed a Daily Mail report publishing text messages between the pastor and Caitlin Key, a former Miss Oklahoma USA. He admitted to 'crossing a boundary line through text messaging' but criticized the report's timing.
- President Donald Trump rescinded his endorsement of Lahmeyer on Wednesday, announcing he would instead support state lawmaker Mark Tedford. Trump declared Tedford "a pro-Trump and MAGA all the way!"
- Lahmeyer's exit leaves Tedford as the Republican nominee for the solid-red district currently represented by Congressman Kevin Hern. House Speaker Mike Johnson endorsed Tedford in a joint statement with GOP leadership.
- The Tulsa-anchored seat opened after Hern declared his candidacy for the vacant Senate seat earlier this year. Rated solid red by the Cook Political Report, the district positions Tedford for likely victory in November.
43 Articles
43 Articles
Trump switches support in Oklahoma congressional race as formerly endorsed pastor candidate suspends campaign
President Donald Trump withdrew his endorsement of Oklahoma GOP congressional candidate Jackson Lahmeyer on Wednesday, and threw his support behind Republican rival Mark Tedford, a dramatic reversal that came shortly before Lahmeyer publicly announced he was suspending his campaign.Lahmeyer told Fox News Digital, however, that he made the decision to end his campaign the night before and informed his wife and campaign team before Trump's endorse…
TRUMP Makes SHOCKING Endorsement Switch… Backs Republican Rival Over Lahmeyer
President Donald Trump’s recent endorsement switch from Jackson Lahmeyer to Mark Tedford marks a significant shift in the Oklahoma GOP congressional race. It also reflects the unpredictable nature of political endorsements and the pressures that often accompany them. Lahmeyer, who had previously been backed by Trump as a “MAGA Warrior,” found himself in a precarious position as the president shifted his support. Lahmeyer announced his decision t…
The Lawton Constitution
Oklahoma pastor who was backed by Trump exits GOP House runoff after reports of inappropriate texts
An Oklahoma megachurch minister has withdrawn from a U.S. House runoff after reports that he sent romantic texts to a woman who isn't his wife. Jackson Lahmeyer, who founded Pastors for Trump, announced his decision Wednesday, a day after advancing…
BREAKING: Trump-Backed Candidate DROPS OUT Of Race – 100PercentFedUp.com – by Jack
A President Trump-backed candidate in Oklahoma is suddenly out of the race. Jackson Lahmeyer, the pastor who founded Pastors for Trump, suspended his campaign for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District just one day after advancing to a Republican runoff. That is a very fast reversal. On Tuesday night, Lahmeyer was still being presented as the Trump-backed candidate moving forward. By Wednesday, President Trump was publicly moving his support to M…
Megachurch Minister Withdraws From Oklahoma GOP House Runoff After Reports Of Inappropriate Texts
Jackson Lahmeyer, who founded Pastors for Trump, said he made the “difficult decision” to suspend his campaign “after prayerful consideration with my wife, Kendra, and my team over the last twenty four hours."
Associated Press News
Jackson Lahmeyer withdraws from Oklahoma GOP House runoff after reports of inappropriate texts
An Oklahoma megachurch minister has withdrawn from a U.S. House runoff after reports that he sent romantic texts to a woman who isn't his wife.
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