{"id":2615291,"date":"2026-06-17T15:36:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T19:36:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-backed-pastor-drops-out-of-gop-runoff-in-oklahoma\/"},"modified":"2026-06-17T15:36:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T19:36:49","slug":"trump-backed-pastor-drops-out-of-gop-runoff-in-oklahoma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-backed-pastor-drops-out-of-gop-runoff-in-oklahoma\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump-backed pastor drops out of GOP runoff in Oklahoma"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-backed-pastor-drops-out-of-gop-runoff-in-oklahoma%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2615291&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Jackson Lahmeyer,a pastor endorsed by President Donald Trump,announced he is withdrawing from the race for Oklahoma&#8217;s 1st Congressional District after receiving fewer votes than expected in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-republican-leader-slams-marjorie-taylor-greene-a-cancer-for-the-republican-party\/\" title=\"Top Republican Leader Slams Marjorie Taylor Greene: A \u2018Cancer For The Republican Party\u2019\">primary election<\/a>. His campaign was troubled by reports of flirtatious messages exchanged with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/los-angeles-da-hires-anti-cop-activist-for-top-prosecutor-job\/\" title=\"Los Angeles DA Hires Anti-Cop Activist for Top Prosecutor Job\">campaign aide<\/a> while married. Lahmeyer secured 25.9% of the vote, trailing behind state Rep. Mark Tedford who had 32.2%. Lahmeyer decided to suspend his campaign after consulting with his wife and team, citing a desire not to be a distraction to his family, church, and constituents. President Trump expressed appreciation for Lahmeyer&#8217;s efforts and announced his support for Tedford, a pro-Trump candidate. the report also highlighted a personal controversy involving Lahmeyer&#8217;s wife and campaign aide Caitlin simmons Key. Additionally, Lahmeyer was among several Trump-backed candidates to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mamdani-interview-ended-by-staffer-after-reporter-asks-uncomfortable-question\/\" title=\"Mamdani Interview Ended by Staffer After Reporter Asks Uncomfortable Question\">face electoral setbacks<\/a>, including Georgia\u2019s Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, despite strong endorsements.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jackson Lahmeyer, a pastor endorsed by President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a>, announced on Wednesday that he was leaving the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11675\">race<\/a> for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/oklahoma\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"715\">Oklahoma<\/a>\u2018s 1st Congressional District after winning fewer votes than anticipated in Tuesday\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/primaries\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2655\">primary election<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lahmeyer\u2019s House campaign was roiled by reports alleging he exchanged flirtatious messages with campaign aide Caitlin Simmons Key, a former Miss Oklahoma USA, while married. The pastor earned 25.9% of the Republican primary vote, behind state Rep. Mark Tedford at 32.2%. Lahmeyer and Tedford were set to face off in an August runoff election.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4612488\/jon-ossoff-target-mike-collins-trucking-business-ad\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ossoff targets Collins\u2019s trucking business in first ad since Republican won Georgia primary<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4611725\/trump-iran-deal-midterm-elections-republicans\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Can Trump\u2019s Iran deal help Republicans in midterm elections?<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4611028\/moore-wins-alabama-senate-runoff\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump-backed Barry Moore wins Alabama GOP Senate runoff<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAfter prayerful consideration with my wife, Kendra, and my team over the last twenty four hours, I\u2019ve made the difficult decision to suspend my campaign for Congress,\u201d Lahmeyer <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JacksonLahmeyer\/status\/2067314474076266553?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet\">posted<\/a> on X. \u201cI do not want to be a distraction to my family, my church, and the great people of Oklahoma\u2019s 1st Congressional District, who deserve a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >strong conservative voice representing<\/a> them in Washington.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The president thanked Lahmeyer, founder of Pastors for Trump, for his effort and backed Tedford minutes before the campaign announcement on X.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI greatly appreciate Jackson Lahmeyer\u2019s hard work under difficult circumstances \u2014 He has always been with me, and I will always be with him,\u201d Trump <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/116766840824918491\">posted<\/a> on Truth Social. \u201cBut, when it comes to the current Congressional race for Oklahoma\u2019s 1st Congressional District, I will be supporting America First Patriot, Mark Tedford. Mark is Pro Trump and MAGA all the way!\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Key told the <em>Daily Mail<\/em> she and Lahmeyer had kissed on several occasions and exchanged thousands of text messages.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4612074\/four-takeaways-georgia-dc-alabama-oklahoma-primary\/\">FOUR TAKEAWAYS FROM GEORGIA, DC, ALABAMA, AND OKLAHOMA PRIMARY ELECTIONS <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After Trump endorsed Lahmeyer in May, Key shared the president\u2019s endorsement online. Lahmeyer\u2019s wife, Kendra, replied to Key\u2019s post saying, \u201cYou are a home wrecking whore. Did you enjoy ruining our family?\u201d Kendra continued, \u201cHe has 5 kids.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lahmeyer was not the only Trump-backed candidate to face an electoral setback this week. Georgia\u2019s Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones had the support of both the president and Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA), but lost to billionaire businessman Rick Jackson in the GOP gubernatorial primary on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lahmeyer drops out after low primary votes amid scandal rumors<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3892,"featured_media":2615292,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP22109593053367.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[3728,6203,12474,32603,3634],"class_list":["post-2615291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-election","tag-gop","tag-oklahoma","tag-political-news","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP22109593053367.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2615291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3892"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2615291"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2615291\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2615295,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2615291\/revisions\/2615295"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2615292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2615291"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2615291"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2615291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}