Oklahoma pastor Jackson Lahmeyer withdraws from GOP runoff for open 1st District seat after Trump ends endorsement

Jackson Lahmeyer, a Tulsa pastor who had been endorsed by President Donald Trump, has withdrawn from the GOP runoff for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District, according to a report by The Hill. The change follows Trump’s decision to withdraw his endorsement of Lahmeyer after questions arose about alleged text messages tied to the campaign.

Lahmeyer’s exit from the runoff affects the remaining field for the party’s nomination in a district that has been reliably Republican in recent cycles. With the pastor stepping aside, the runoff would shift to the next qualified candidate(s) on the ballot, though the exact ballot mechanics depend on Oklahoma election procedures for the primary runoff.

The Hill reported that the endorsement was withdrawn by Trump and that Lahmeyer’s withdrawal came after what he described as a day of consideration with his wife, Kendra, and his team. Lahmeyer said the decision was made after prayerful consideration over the prior 24 hours, framing the action as a response to the surrounding controversy rather than a legal dispute.

The texting scandal, which the report said derailed Lahmeyer’s campaign, was part of the reason Trump moved to withdraw his endorsement. The Hill’s report did not identify the full contents of the messages in its description, and it did not cite any court action tied to the episode.

Political attention in the race centers on how rapidly endorsement changes can cascade into candidate decisions in high-profile, tightly followed primaries. In this case, the announcement of Trump’s withdrawal appears to have been immediately consequential for Lahmeyer’s decision to leave the runoff.

For voters, the practical effect is that the runoff contest for the GOP nomination will be determined without Lahmeyer in the final selection stage. The general election outcome will still depend on Oklahoma’s finalized nomination and the timing of state election steps for certified ballots and canvassing.

Election officials and party operatives will need to follow Oklahoma’s deadlines and replacement rules, if applicable, based on when Lahmeyer’s withdrawal is submitted and accepted. The next steps for the runoff would be governed by state law and the Oklahoma Election Board’s procedures.