Lahmeyer Halts Campaign Amid Texting Allegations

Republican Jackson Lahmeyer has paused his campaign for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District. This decision follows the emergence of alleged text messages before the Republican primary.

On Wednesday, Lahmeyer issued a statement explaining that his choice came after “prayerful consideration” with his wife, Kendra, and his campaign team. The Tulsa-area pastor, who previously ran for the U.S. Senate, sought the Republican nomination in this open congressional race.

He expressed his desire to avoid distracting his family, church, and Oklahomans in the 1st District. “I do not want to be a distraction to my family, my church, and the great people of Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District,” Lahmeyer stated about his decision to suspend his campaign.

President Donald Trump retracted his support for Lahmeyer on the same day. Trump’s statement acknowledged Lahmeyer’s dedication under challenging conditions. “He has always been with me, and I will always be with him,” Trump added.

Newsweek contacted Lahmeyer’s campaign for comments via email on Wednesday.

Background

The announcement follows a texting scandal highlighted by the Daily Mail, which received national attention. The controversy involved alleged messages between Lahmeyer and a former Miss Oklahoma USA, raising questions about his conduct.

Lahmeyer described the accusations as “distorted” and emphasized that he had addressed the issue privately with his wife. He took responsibility for crossing boundaries through text messages, confirming he ceased all communication.

“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,” Lahmeyer commented on Facebook.

Impact on the Race

Trump had initially endorsed Lahmeyer in May, calling him a “MAGA Warrior.” With Lahmeyer stepping aside, Trump now supports State Representative Mark Tedford.

In Tuesday’s primary, both Lahmeyer and Tedford advanced to a runoff election, with Lahmeyer receiving 25.9 percent of the vote. Without Lahmeyer, the contest for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District proceeds without one of its most prominent figures.

This is a developing story. Further updates will follow as new information emerges.