Key facts
- Jackson Lahmeyer, founder of Pastors for Trump, and state Rep. Mark Tedford are projected to advance to a runoff in the GOP primary for Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District.
- Neither candidate was projected to clear the 50-percent threshold necessary to clinch the nomination.
- Rep. Kevin Hern won the Republican nod for the state’s open Senate seat.
- The runoff election is scheduled for August 25.
- President Trump endorsed Lahmeyer, who is seen as close to the MAGA movement.
Jackson Lahmeyer, founder of Pastors for Trump, and Oklahoma state Rep. Mark Tedford are projected to advance to a runoff in the Republican primary for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District. Neither candidate was projected to secure the 50 percent threshold needed to win the nomination outright.
Ten Republican candidates competed for the nomination in the district, which is currently represented by Rep. Kevin Hern, who won the Republican nomination for the state’s open Senate seat. The winner of the August 25 runoff will face Democrat John Croisant in the general election.
The race has emerged as a proxy contest between the MAGA movement and the conservative establishment. President Trump endorsed Lahmeyer, who is generally viewed as aligned with the MAGA movement. His campaign has been visited by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. Tedford, conversely, has positioned himself as the establishment conservative choice, receiving backing from the Oklahoma House Speaker and three Tulsa County commissioners. Although Tedford out-raised Lahmeyer, Lahmeyer's profile as a Trump loyalist running on faith-based values made him an early favorite. Lahmeyer's name recognition, stemming from his unsuccessful 2022 run against Sen. James Lankford, also bolstered his campaign.