Jackson Lahmeyer, a Republican candidate for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District and a Christian pastor, suspended his campaign on June 17, 2026, following reports of intimate text messages sent to a former campaign fundraiser who was not his wife [1, 2, 3]. Lahmeyer admitted to crossing a boundary by sending the messages but said he ended all communication with the woman [1, 2]. He told reporters he made the decision to suspend his campaign after prayerful consideration with his wife and team and did not want to distract his family, church, and constituents [1].
The texting scandal became public on June 14 when the Daily Mail published the messages [1, 2]. Lahmeyer acknowledged his mistake but emphasized it was a personal failing and said he chose to put his family first. He stated, "I made my decision to drop out of the race last night. I decided to choose my wife over my ambition...My decision did not take place because of the decision of POTUS this afternoon" [3].
The controversy followed a strong June 16 primary, where Mark Tedford led with 32.2% of the vote and Lahmeyer finished second with 25.9%, advancing both to the runoff to replace incumbent Republican Kevin Hern, who is seeking a US Senate seat [3, 1, 2]. Tulsa anchors the 1st District, a solidly Republican area that Trump won by 21 points in 2024 [2].
Earlier in May, former President Donald Trump endorsed Lahmeyer for the seat, but on June 17 he rescinded that endorsement and publicly supported Tedford instead. Trump said, "I greatly appreciate Jackson Lahmeyer’s hard work under difficult circumstances...But, when it comes to the current Congressional race for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District, I will be supporting America First Patriot, Mark Tedford" [1, 2, 3]. Tedford called the endorsement change "kind of surreal," noting rapid developments in the race [2].
The timing of Lahmeyer’s suspension and Trump’s endorsement switch has prompted differing accounts. Lahmeyer and some sources say he decided to suspend his campaign the night before Trump changed his endorsement, motivated by personal reasons rather than political pressure [3]. Other reports suggest the campaign suspension followed the endorsement shift after the scandal surfaced [1, 2].
Mark Tedford is now the presumptive Republican nominee for the 1st District [1, 2, 3]. The runoff election is scheduled next month, where Tedford is expected to face no active challengers after Lahmeyer’s exit.
