Full Breakdown
Trump-Endorsed Pastor Withdraws from Oklahoma Congressional Race Amid Texting Scandal
6/18/2026, 4:30:50 AM
The Runoff Collapse: Core Event
On June 17, 2026, Jackson Lahmeyer—founder of the Pastors for Trump network and the Republican nominee for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District—announced he was suspending his campaign. His withdrawal came a day after he advanced to an August 25 runoff with state Rep. Mark Tedford and minutes after President Donald Trump rescinded his endorsement and pledged support for Tedford. Lahmeyer’s statement emphasized that he did not want to be “a distraction to my family, my church, and the great people of Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District.”
Background & Context
Lahmeyer, a megachurch pastor in Tulsa, founded Pastors for Trump to mobilize evangelical voters for Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign. He previously ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2022. In May 2026, Trump publicly endorsed Lahmeyer, calling him a “MAGA Warrior.” The 1st District, anchored in Tulsa, voted for Trump by a 21-point margin in 2024 and is rated “solid red” by the Cook Political Report. The seat is open because Rep. Kevin Hern is running for the U.S. Senate.
Timeline
- May 2026 – Trump endorses Lahmeyer.
- June 12 – News On 6 obtains text messages between Lahmeyer and former Miss Oklahoma Caitlin Key.
- June 15 – The Daily Mail publishes the texts, describing them as intimate.
- June 16 – Primary: Lahmeyer receives 25.9 % (18,676 votes); Tedford receives 32.2 % (23,217 votes), both advancing to a runoff.
- June 17 – Trump withdraws endorsement; Lahmeyer withdraws from the race.
- August 25 – Scheduled runoff becomes moot; Tedford becomes presumptive nominee.
- November 2026 – General election slated between Tedford and Democrat John Croissant.
Data & Statistics
- Primary vote share: Lahmeyer 25.9 %; Tedford 32.2 %.
- District’s 2024 presidential margin: Trump +21 points.
- Cook Political Report rating: “solid red.”
Official Statements & Responses
Lahmeyer posted that he “owned crossing a boundary line through text messaging” and had ended all communication, describing the Daily Mail story as “distorted.” Trump’s Truth Social post thanked Lahmeyer for his work but announced support for Tedford, labeling him an “America First Patriot.” House Speaker Mike Johnson, speaking with GOP leadership, said he would help “continue to deliver safe streets, secure borders, a strong economy, and peace through strength” under Tedford’s candidacy. CBS noted it had not independently verified the texts.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics highlighted the “carefully cherry-picked” nature of the published messages and questioned the timing of the Daily Mail report. The outlet’s characterization of the texts as “intimate” was contested by Lahmeyer, who asserted the exchange did not involve physical contact.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Daily Mail’s account relies on private text excerpts; CBS reported no independent verification. Lahmeyer’s statements claim the matter was resolved privately, while the tabloid maintains the texts suggest impropriety. No evidence of a physical relationship has been confirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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.” — Jackson Lahmeyer, campaign statement
- “I greatly appreciate Jackson Lahmeyer's hard work under difficult circumstances — He has always been with me, and I will always be with him.” — Donald Trump, Truth Social (June 17)
- “I own crossing a boundary line through text messaging. I also ended all communication. The British Tabloid tried to paint me out in a way which is not the case.” — Jackson Lahmeyer, X post
- “will help us continue to deliver safe streets, secure borders, a strong economy, and peace through strength” — Mike Johnson, joint GOP statement
- “I enjoyed those lips.” — Caitlin Simmons Key, former Miss Oklahoma USA and campaign fundraiser (Mediaite)
Why It Matters
The episode illustrates the decisive role of presidential endorsements in GOP primaries and underscores how personal scandals can rapidly alter candidate viability. Tedford’s unopposed path to the November ballot strengthens the Republican hold on a district that has consistently favored Trump-aligned candidates.
What’s Next
Mark Tedford will appear on the November ballot against Democrat John Croissant. Lahmeyer’s future political involvement remains uncertain, while the district’s solid-red orientation suggests continued Republican dominance in the upcoming election.
