Overview
- Jackson Lahmeyer announced on Wednesday that he was suspending his campaign, saying he did not want to be a distraction to his family, his church or Oklahoma’s 1st District.
- President Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday that he was withdrawing his endorsement of Lahmeyer and instead backed state Rep. Mark Tedford, who finished ahead in the primary.
- The Daily Mail published alleged intimate text messages between Lahmeyer and former campaign aide Caitlin Simmons Key, and Lahmeyer acknowledged he had “crossed a boundary” and ended communication.
- Lahmeyer placed second in the June 16 primary with about 25.9 percent of the vote while Tedford won roughly 32.2 percent, and Lahmeyer’s withdrawal effectively clears the way for Tedford in the reliably Republican seat.
- Lahmeyer’s rise as the founder of Pastors for Trump made the race a test of presidential endorsement power, and coverage diverged on verification and timing of the Daily Mail report, highlighting how rapid media revelations can reshape primaries.