Jackson Lahmeyer has abruptly exited the Republican primary runoff for Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District, bowing out just a day after advancing to the next round of voting. The Tulsa pastor, who had drawn national attention and an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, said he had “crossed a boundary” in text messages with a woman who is not his wife and that the situation is being handled privately. His withdrawal came on the heels of reporting on those messages that intensified scrutiny in the final stretch before the primary.
What Lahmeyer told supporters
In a post on X, Lahmeyer acknowledged the text messages and said the matter was being addressed privately with his wife and spiritual advisers, according to Fox23. The outlet reports that his campaign has suspended its activities as he steps away from the race.
Allegations from a former staffer
Coverage tied to the Daily Mail included alleged screenshots of messages between Lahmeyer and Caitlin Simmons Key, a former campaign fundraiser and former Miss Oklahoma USA, along with accounts that the relationship became physical, according to the Hindustan Times. Those stories turned up the heat on Lahmeyer’s bid in the days leading up to Tuesday’s vote.
Runoff status and ballot effect
Early returns from the June 16 primary showed Lahmeyer and state Rep. Mark Tedford moving on to a runoff, but his decision on Wednesday to withdraw instantly reshaped the race, according to Fox23. Whether Lahmeyer’s name will still appear on the official runoff ballot depends on certification deadlines and local election procedures, and that timeline will determine how quickly Republicans can formally lock in a nominee.
Why the exit matters
Lahmeyer’s campaign had attracted unusually intense national attention and outside money after Trump's high-profile endorsement, which set him apart in a crowded primary field. Reporters have also pointed to his long-running activism and controversial statements about faith and politics as context for why his campaign drew such scrutiny, according to The Forward.
What comes next
Local Republican strategists and national conservative groups now face a sudden recalibration, deciding whether to pour resources into a runoff that has effectively become a one-sided contest and how to adjust their pitch to primary voters. For now, party leaders and campaign figures are largely sticking to Lahmeyer’s public statement and the existing news coverage, with no immediate additional comment.
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