Pastors for Trump founder quits race over texts to former Miss Oklahoma about drugs, strip clubs
The Daily Mail reported he exchanged thousands of romantic text messages with a woman who worked as a fundraiser for his campaign.
Ryan Cooper 
Jackson Lahmeyer, the Oklahoma megachurch pastor who rose to prominence as the founder of Pastors for Trump, has officially exited his U.S. House race. The withdrawal follows explosive reports detailing a series of romantic text messages sent to a woman outside of his marriage.
A Swift Exit
The decision to drop out came just one day after Lahmeyer advanced to an August runoff. In a statement released Wednesday, Lahmeyer noted he reached the conclusion following prayerful consideration alongside his wife, Kendra, and his campaign staff over a 24-hour period. He expressed a desire to avoid being a distraction to his church, family, and the constituents of Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District.
The timing of the announcement was notable, arriving minutes after former President Donald Trump officially endorsed his runoff opponent, state representative Mark Tedford. While Trump had previously supported Lahmeyer due to his work with the Pastors for Trump coalition, he pivoted to Tedford, labeling him “Pro Trump and MAGA all the way!”
Contentious Allegations
The controversy stems from a report by the Daily Mail, which alleged Lahmeyer exchanged thousands of romantic texts with a former Miss Oklahoma who served as a campaign fundraiser. According to reports from KFOR TV, some of these messages included admissions that he visited a strip club and declined an offer of cocaine after departing Mar-A-Lago.
Lahmeyer previously acknowledged his actions in a now-deleted social media post, admitting he crossed a boundary line but claiming the issue had been settled privately. 205focus.com notes that the campaign has not addressed whether Lahmeyer consulted with Trump prior to dropping out or provided reasons for the deletion of his social media profiles.
Looking Ahead
Despite the end of his congressional bid, Lahmeyer remains connected to high-profile political events. His Tulsa-based Sheridan Church website lists him as a speaker for an upcoming event dubbed Remnant Rising. That program includes a lineup featuring Gen. Michael Flynn, the former national security adviser who received a presidential pardon during Trump's first term after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI.
