Key facts
- Jackson Lahmeyer, founder of Pastors for Trump, withdrew from his U.S. House runoff race.
- Reports surfaced of Lahmeyer exchanging thousands of romantic text messages with a campaign fundraiser.
- Lahmeyer acknowledged crossing a boundary line via text messaging.
- Donald Trump rescinded his endorsement of Lahmeyer and endorsed his opponent, Mark Tedford.
Jackson Lahmeyer, an Oklahoma megachurch minister and founder of Pastors for Trump, has withdrawn from a runoff for a U.S. House seat after reports emerged of him exchanging thousands of romantic text messages with a woman who worked as a fundraiser for his campaign. Lahmeyer announced his decision to suspend his campaign, stating he did not want to be a distraction to his family, church, and constituents.
His withdrawal announcement came shortly after President Donald Trump rescinded his endorsement of Lahmeyer and endorsed his runoff opponent, state representative Mark Tedford. Trump had previously supported Lahmeyer, commending him for founding the Pastors for Trump coalition.