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Jackson Lahmeyer, a Tulsa pastor who had won backing from former President Donald Trump, announced Wednesday that he will suspend his campaign for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District, a move that reshapes the GOP runoff and prompted Mr. Trump to back state Rep. Mark Tedford instead. The decision follows publication of flirtatious messages tied to Lahmeyer and raises immediate questions about who will appear on the November ballot.
The pastor finished second in the June 16 Republican primary and had qualified for a runoff against Tedford. But in the days leading up to that contest, the Daily Mail published alleged text exchanges between Lahmeyer and Caitlin Key, a former Miss Oklahoma USA reported to have worked as a campaign fundraiser.
Allegations, admission and political fallout
After the texts surfaced, Lahmeyer posted on social media acknowledging he had “crossed a boundary” in messages with Key, and he criticized the timing and framing of the story. Key has told the outlet the relationship went beyond flirting and that she and Lahmeyer exchanged kisses; the pastor’s wife reportedly became aware of the messages.
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Neither Lahmeyer nor Key responded to follow-up requests for comment from local reporters. Lahmeyer initially said he would continue his campaign, but late Wednesday he said he would step aside to avoid being a distraction to his family and his church.
Trump switches support — and why it matters now
President Trump announced on Truth Social that he is moving his endorsement from Lahmeyer to Tedford, praising Tedford’s record in the state legislature. That endorsement shift instantly alters the race’s dynamics: if Lahmeyer formally files his withdrawal with state election officials, the secretary of state’s office has indicated Tedford would become the Republican nominee for the general election.
- Primary date: June 16 — Lahmeyer placed second and advanced to a runoff.
- Scandal: Tabloid-published messages between Lahmeyer and Caitlin Key prompted public admissions and questions about conduct.
- Endorsement change: Trump rescinded support and publicly backed Mark Tedford.
- Next step: A formal withdrawal filing would make Tedford the GOP nominee for November.
The seat opened after Rep. Kevin Hern declared a run for the U.S. Senate earlier this year, making the 1st District a high-stakes contest for Republicans as they seek to hold a traditionally conservative seat. Lahmeyer, who leads the Pastors for Trump organization and has appeared with the Trump family at campaign events, had been seen as a strong grassroots candidate before the revelations.
Local election officials said Wednesday that, as of the afternoon, no official withdrawal had been filed. A state election board spokesperson explained the legal mechanics: only a formal notice will change the name on the November ballot.
What to watch next
The immediate questions center on three fronts: whether Lahmeyer will complete the formal withdrawal, how quickly Tedford can consolidate support among Lahmeyer’s backers, and whether the episode will influence turnout in both the primary runoff and the general election this fall. For national observers, the episode also tests the continuing influence of Mr. Trump’s endorsements in down-ballot races.
Lahmeyer thanked supporters in a brief statement, saying he will not forget those who “stood by me.” Tedford and Trump’s camp have framed the switch as a consolidation behind a candidate they say is aligned with the former president’s agenda.
With the filing deadline still pending and an active runoff process under way in other state primaries, the situation is likely to remain fluid in the coming days — and could determine who represents the Tulsa-area seat in Congress this winter and beyond.
