President Donald Trump has shifted his support in Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District race, withdrawing his endorsement of Republican candidate Jackson Lahmeyer and backing rival Mark Tedford shortly before Lahmeyer publicly announced he was suspending his campaign.
The sudden change came after both Republicans advanced to a runoff election to replace Rep. Kevin Hern, who is running for the U.S. Senate. According to reported election results, Tedford finished first in the primary with 32.2% of the vote, while Lahmeyer placed second with 25.9%.
Trump had previously endorsed Lahmeyer, calling him a loyal supporter and “MAGA Warrior.” But on Wednesday afternoon, the president announced on Truth Social that he was now supporting Tedford.
Trump said he appreciated Lahmeyer’s work “under difficult circumstances” and added that Lahmeyer had always supported him. However, he said that in the current congressional race, he would support Tedford, whom he described as “Pro Trump and MAGA all the way.” Trump gave Tedford his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”
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Only minutes later, Lahmeyer posted on X that he was suspending his campaign. In his statement, Lahmeyer said he made the decision after prayerful consideration with his wife and campaign team. He said he did not want to become a distraction to his family, his church, or the voters of Oklahoma’s 1st District.
Lahmeyer later told Fox News Digital that his decision had already been made the night before Trump’s endorsement switch. He said he informed his wife late that night and told his campaign team the following morning. According to Lahmeyer, his decision was not caused by Trump’s announcement.
“I decided to choose my wife over my ambition,” Lahmeyer said, explaining his decision to leave the race.
The timing of the two announcements quickly drew attention, because Trump’s reversal came shortly before Lahmeyer’s public exit from the campaign. The White House did not provide a detailed explanation for the endorsement change and referred questions to Trump’s Truth Social statement.
The shift followed a difficult period for Lahmeyer’s campaign. Recent reports had focused on his communications with former Miss Oklahoma USA Caitlin Simmons Key. Lahmeyer later acknowledged that he had crossed “a boundary line through text messaging,” while also disputing what he described as a misleading portrayal of the situation.
Neither Trump nor the White House publicly connected those reports to the endorsement change. Still, the reversal marked a notable political development in a heavily Republican district where Trump’s backing can carry major influence.
Tedford is now positioned as the likely favorite for the Republican nomination. In a district that strongly favors the GOP, the Republican nominee is expected to have a strong chance in the general election.
The episode also shows how quickly Trump’s endorsement strategy can shift during competitive Republican primaries. Candidates often compete for his support, especially in conservative districts, but the Oklahoma race demonstrates that a previous endorsement does not always guarantee continued backing through a runoff.
For Lahmeyer, the decision ends a campaign that had once carried Trump’s support and placed him in the runoff. For Tedford, the endorsement gives his campaign a major boost heading into the next stage of the race.
Why It Matters
The endorsement switch matters because Trump remains one of the most influential figures in Republican primaries. His support can shape fundraising, voter enthusiasm, and media attention, especially in strongly conservative districts.
The timing also adds political intrigue because Lahmeyer suspended his campaign shortly after Trump announced he was backing Tedford. Lahmeyer says his decision was made before Trump’s post, but the sequence is likely to draw continued discussion.
What Comes Next
Tedford is expected to move forward as the leading Republican in the race for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District. With Lahmeyer out, the path to the nomination may become clearer.
The race will now test whether Trump’s late endorsement shift can quickly unite Republican voters behind Tedford ahead of the general election.
Trump announced a new endorsement in the Oklahoma congressional race after previously backing another Republican candidate.
I greatly appreciate Jackson Lahmeyer’s hard work under difficult circumstances — He has always been with me, and I will always be with him. But, when it comes to the current Congressional race for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District, I will be supporting America First Patriot,… pic.twitter.com/VUVE8cEPMU
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) June 17, 2026
