Pastors for Trump founder Jackson Lahmeyer has announced the end of his campaign for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District. This decision comes after a texting scandal involving romantic messages to a woman who is not his wife.

Background

Lahmeyer, the lead pastor of Sheridan Church in Tulsa, had been endorsed by President Donald Trump ahead of the primary. However, after the scandal broke, Trump shifted his support to Lahmeyer’s runoff opponent, state lawmaker Mark Tedford.

Lahmeyer acknowledged inappropriate behavior but criticized the timing and portrayal of the story. He stated that the matter had already been dealt with privately between him, his wife, and spiritual advisors.

Aftermath

With Lahmeyer’s withdrawal, Tedford is now poised to succeed GOP Rep. Kevin Hern, who is running for Senate. The development highlights the complexities of political endorsements and the challenges faced by candidates in maintaining a strong, conservative voice.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.