Donald Trump pulled his endorsement from a congressional candidate just hours after a scandal forced them out of the race. The president quickly pivoted to backing a new candidate in Oklahoma’s closely watched Republican runoff.
Jackson Lahmeyer exits Oklahoma’s 1st District race after reports of inappropriate texts
Donald Trump shifted his endorsement to state lawmaker Mark Tedford in Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District race. The president made the announcement on Truth Social after Pastors for Trump founder Jackson Lahmeyer suspended his campaign. CNN reported the development on Wednesday following Lahmeyer’s withdrawal from the Republican runoff.
Lahmeyer ended his bid one day after advancing to the runoff in Tuesday’s primary election. He cited his family and church as reasons for stepping aside from the race. “I do not want to be a distraction to my family, my church, and the great people of Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District, who deserve a strong conservative voice representing them in Washington,” Lahmeyer stated.
The withdrawal followed a Daily Mail report alleging Lahmeyer sent romantic text messages to a woman outside his marriage. Lahmeyer acknowledged crossing a boundary but criticized the outlet’s timing and portrayal. “I own crossing a boundary line through text messaging. I also ended all communication,” he wrote on X. He added that the matter had already been resolved privately with his wife through counsel and prayer.
Trump initially endorsed Lahmeyer in May and reaffirmed his support on Monday despite the scandal. However, the president reversed course on Wednesday after Lahmeyer’s exit from the race. “I greatly appreciate Jackson Lahmeyer’s hard work under difficult circumstances,” Trump posted on Truth Social. He then declared his backing for Tedford, calling him an “America First Patriot.”
Lahmeyer served as lead pastor of Sheridan Church in Tulsa and built a coalition of pastors supporting Trump’s 2024 reelection. His departure now clears a path for Tedford to secure the Republican nomination. Tedford aims to succeed GOP Rep. Kevin Hern, who currently seeks a Senate seat in Oklahoma.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
