Pastors for Trump founder exits House race after texting scandal

Jackson Lahmeyer, a pastor and founder of the group Pastors for Trump, has suspended his campaign for Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District House seat. His withdrawal came just one day after he advanced to a Republican primary runoff, amid a text-messaging scandal that surfaced earlier in the week.

The controversy erupted when The Daily Mail published alleged text messages between Lahmeyer and a former Miss Oklahoma, who is not his wife. The messages reportedly included intimate exchanges and a selfie from a party at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago club. While CBS News has not independently verified the texts, they were also viewed by a local affiliate.

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After prayerful consideration with my wife, Kendra, and my team over the last twenty four hours, I've made the difficult decision to suspend my campaign for Congress. I do not want to be a distraction to my family, my church, and the great people of Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District, who deserve a strong conservative voice representing them in Washington.

Lahmeyer, who had secured an endorsement from President Trump in May, acknowledged "crossing a boundary line through text messaging." He stated the issue was handled privately with his wife, Kendra, and spiritual advisors. He characterized the tabloid's reporting as a "distorted story."

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I greatly appreciate Jackson Lahmeyer's hard work under difficult circumstances, He has always been with me, and I will always be with him. But, when it comes to the current Congressional race for Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District, I will be supporting America First Patriot, Mark Tedford. Mark is Pro Trump and MAGA all the way!

Following the scandal's emergence, President Trump initially reiterated his support for Lahmeyer on social media. However, after Lahmeyer's withdrawal announcement, Trump shifted his endorsement to Mark Tedford, the top vote-getter in the primary. Trump cited Lahmeyer's "hard work under difficult circumstances" but stated his support for Tedford as a "Pro Trump and MAGA all the way" candidate.

With Lahmeyer out of the race, Mark Tedford will now advance to the general election in November. The seat became open after the incumbent, Rep. Kevin Hern, decided to run for Senate.

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This matter was already dealt with privately between me and my wife, Kendra, through counsel and prayer with God and spiritual advisors. I own crossing a boundary line through text messaging. I also ended all communication. The British Tabloid tried to paint me out in a way which is not the case.