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By Anna Commander
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Republican Jackson Lahmeyer has suspended his campaign for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District following controversy over alleged text messages that surfaced just before the Republican primary.
In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, Lahmeyer said that after “prayerful consideration” with his wife, Kendra, and his campaign team, he had decided to end his bid for Congress. Lahmeyer, a Tulsa-area pastor and former U.S. Senate candidate, had been seeking the Republican nomination in the open congressional race.
“I do not want to be a distraction to my family, my church, and the great people of Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District,” he wrote in part, announcing the suspension of his campaign.
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President Donald Trump also withdrew his endorsement of Lahmeyer on Wednesday, saying in part that he greatly appreciates Lahmeyer's "hard work under difficult circumstances," adding that "He has always been with me, and I will always be with him."
In a statement to Newsweek on Wednesday, when asked if he spoke to Trump before announcing his decision, Lahmeyer said, "I made my decision to drop out of the race last night. I decided to choose my wife over my ambition. I informed my wife about my decision late last night and then my campaign team early this morning. My decision did not take place because of the decision of POTUS this afternoon."
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What To Know
Lahmeyer's decision comes after an alleged texting scandal reported by the Daily Mail drew national attention and seemed poised to overshadow the final days of the campaign. The controversy erupted when the outlet published alleged messages between Lahmeyer and a former Miss Oklahoma USA, prompting scrutiny online of the pastor’s alleged conduct.
Lahmeyer addressed the allegations, describing the reporting as a "distorted" account, and said the matter was dealt with privately between him and his wife.
"I own crossing a boundary line through text messaging. I also ended all communication," Lahmeyer said in a post on Facebook on Monday, in part. "The British Tabloid tried to paint me out in a way which is not the case. At the same time, we must ask the question if this story was paid for and why our communications were carefully cherry-picked to create an impression that is not accurate," he added.
Trump first backed Lahmeyer in early May, calling him a "MAGA Warrior."
Trump has now thrown his support behind State Representative Mark Tedford. On Tuesday, both Lahmeyer and Tedford advanced to a runoff election, with Lahmeyer coming in second with 25.9 percent of the vote.
With Lahmeyer now out of the race, the contest for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District moves forward without one of its most high-profile candidates.
Other Election Cycle Controversies
Lahmeyer’s exit comes amid a broader election cycle in which candidates from both parties have faced intense scrutiny over allegations of personal misconduct. The cases underscore how personal scandals and questions about character have become major factors in several high-profile races.
In Maine, Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner has faced backlash over allegations raised by former partners. The controversy has unfolded as Platner remains locked in a competitive race against incumbent Senator Susan Collins, with recent polls showing the contest remains highly competitive.
Meanwhile, former California Congressman Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress and suspended his gubernatorial campaign earlier this year after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. Swalwell has denied the allegations and characterized the accusations as politically motivated.
Earlier this year, Republican Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas ended his reelection bid after allegations involving a former staffer prompted an ethics investigation and calls from Republicans for him to step aside. Gonzales later resigned from Congress.
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