Jackson Lahmeyer, a pastor and founder of the group Pastors for Trump, has withdrawn from the Republican primary runoff for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District amid a cheating scandal involving a former campaign staffer. The withdrawal was announced on Thursday, following public revelations of an extramarital affair that emerged days earlier.

Lahmeyer, a married father of five and a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, faced scrutiny after Caitlin Simmons Key, a former Miss Oklahoma contestant and campaign aide, disclosed a series of romantic text messages and an admitted one-night encounter with the pastor. The texts included intimate remarks, such as Lahmeyer complimenting Key’s appearance. Key shared these communications with a media outlet, triggering a rapid backlash.

The situation escalated when Lahmeyer’s wife, Kendra, discovered the messages and confronted Key by text, accusing her of undermining their family. Lahmeyer reportedly asked Key to delete the texts and maintain silence regarding the matter. Additionally, allegations surfaced that the campaign manager, John Killian, conducted weekly $500 cash transfers to Key that were not reported in official campaign finance filings.

Following the public exposure of the affair, Donald Trump withdrew his endorsement of Lahmeyer and shifted support to Mark Tedford, Lahmeyer’s Republican primary opponent. Within minutes of Trump’s endorsement announcement, Lahmeyer formally exited the race.

In a statement, Lahmeyer said his decision came after "prayerful consideration" alongside his wife. He added that he did not want to be a distraction to his family, church, or constituents in Oklahoma’s 1st District, emphasizing the need for a strong conservative representative in Congress. President Trump praised Lahmeyer’s efforts under challenging circumstances while reaffirming his backing of Tedford as "Pro Trump and MAGA all the way."

The controversy highlights the potential political risks of personal misconduct for candidates aligned with high-profile endorsements in tightly contested races. Oklahoma’s 1st District seat, long held by Republicans, remains open for the upcoming general election following the withdrawal of Lahmeyer.