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Oklahoma pastor drops out of runoff for Hern's House seat after Trump withdraws endorsement

Lahmeyer suspended his congressional campaign after reported intimate messages prompted scrutiny of his candidacy.

Oklahoma pastor drops out of runoff for Hern's House seat after Trump withdraws endorsement
Image · Yahoo News

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This article1 analysis · Oct 5, 2026

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Republished from The Hill, with credit to the original publisher.

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254 stories · 78–79 · updated Oct 6, 2026

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Yahoo Newsvia The Hill
Jun 17, 2026
tl;dr

Jackson Lahmeyer withdrew from the Republican runoff for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District after a texting scandal, shortly after Donald Trump withdrew his endorsement and backed Mark Tedford. Lahmeyer said his decision to leave the race was made before Trump changed his endorsement.

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Oklahoma House candidate who withdrew from the Republican runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who withdrew his endorsement of Lahmeyer and backed Tedford

Trump's version of this story ↗
Kevin Hern
R · OK-1

Representative whose seat the candidates are contesting

Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

House Speaker who endorsed Tedford

Oklahoma state representative and Republican candidate who became the nominee

Markwayne Mullin
Secretary of Homeland Security

Homeland Security secretary who vacated the Senate seat Hern is seeking

ALSO MENTIONED  Caitlin Key, Fundraiser for Lahmeyer’s campaign who exchanged messages with him

Part of a bigger story

30 OUTLETS
Jackson Lahmeyer Suspends Oklahoma Congressional Campaign

Outlets report that Lahmeyer suspended his Oklahoma congressional campaign after reports about text messages involving a former campaign fundraiser. They also report that Trump withdrew his endorsement and backed Mark Tedford. Left-leaning outlets frame the withdrawal as a scandal-driven political rebuke, including a contrast over how parties handle candidate scandals. Center outlets mostly recount the messages, Lahmeyer’s response and the campaign fallout in attributed, descriptive terms. Right-leaning outlets focus more on Trump’s endorsement switch and its effect on the race, with some also reporting Lahmeyer’s claim that his decision came first.

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