Trump switches support in Oklahoma congressional race as formerly endorsed pastor candidate suspends campaign
President Donald Trump withdrew his endorsement of Oklahoma GOP congressional candidate Jackson Lahmeyer on Wednesday, and threw his support behind Republican rival Mark Tedford, a dramatic reversal that came shortly before Lahmeyer publicly announced he was suspending his campaign.
Lahmeyer told Fox News Digital, however, that he made the decision to end his campaign the night before and informed his wife and campaign team before Trump's endorsement switch.
"I made my decision to drop out of the race last night," Lahmeyer told Fox News Digital. "I decided to choose my wife over my ambition. I informed my wife about my decision late last night and then my campaign team early this morning. My decision did not take place because of the decision of POTUS this afternoon."
AP results showed Tedford finishing first with 32.2% and Lahmeyer second with 25.9%, advancing both Republicans to a runoff election to succeed Rep. Kevin Hern, who is running for the U.S. Senate.
Trump had previously endorsed Lahmeyer as a "MAGA Warrior" and longtime ally, making Wednesday's endorsement switch one of the more notable reversals of the 2026 midterm cycle.
At approximately 2:23 p.m., Trump announced on Truth Social that he was backing Tedford.
"I greatly appreciate Jackson Lahmeyer's hard work under difficult circumstances — He has always been with me, and I will always be with him," Trump wrote. "But, when it comes to the current Congressional race for Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District, I will be supporting America First Patriot, Mark Tedford."
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The president described Tedford as "Pro Trump and MAGA all the way" and said the state lawmaker had his "Complete and Total Endorsement."
At approximately 2:32 p.m., Lahmeyer announced on X that he was suspending his campaign.
"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," Lahmeyer said.
"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."
Fox News Digital reached out to Lahmeyer, Tedford and the White House for comment. A White House official referred Fox News Digital to Trump's Truth Social statement and did not provide additional comment.
Trump's decision marked a sharp turn from his earlier endorsement of Lahmeyer, whom he praised before Oklahoma's June 16 primary.
The endorsement reversal came after a turbulent stretch for Lahmeyer's campaign. The Daily Mail published reports regarding Lahmeyer's communications with former Miss Oklahoma USA Caitlin Simmons Key.
Lahmeyer later acknowledged that he had crossed "a boundary line through text messaging" while disputing what he described as a misleading characterization of the situation.
Neither president Trump nor the White House publicly explained the reason for the endorsement change. Tedford is now positioned as the likely Republican nominee in the strongly GOP district.