Trump-Backed Pastor Exits Race After Text Messages Surface

In a stunning reversal just 24 hours after advancing to a GOP runoff, Jackson Lahmeyer—a pastor and Donald Trump-backed candidate for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District—is expected to drop out of the race. The announcement could come as soon as Wednesday, according to sources familiar with the situation.

The sudden exit comes after the Daily Mail published text messages purported to show Lahmeyer flirting with a woman who is not his wife. The disclosure has apparently prompted the candidate to reconsider his path forward, though sources cautioned he could still change his mind before making any formal announcement.

The timing couldn’t be more awkward. Lahmeyer had just cleared the primary hurdle in the race to fill the seat being vacated by Republican Kevin Hern, who is running for Senate. The runoff election was scheduled for Aug. 25, giving him the summer to reset and regroup. That window has apparently closed.

For Lawton-area voters and Oklahoma political observers, this represents a dramatic turn in what was shaping up to be a consequential primary fight. Trump’s endorsement had positioned Lahmeyer as a frontrunner, but personal scandal—a recurring theme in modern politics—has a way of short-circuiting even the most visible campaigns. Lahmeyer did not respond to requests for comment, leaving the door slightly open for a last-minute reversal, though sources close to him seem convinced the decision is made.

The race now moves forward without one of its most high-profile contenders, reshaping the dynamics of who might claim the nomination for this heavily Republican district.