Trump Withdraws Support for Rahmeyer, Endorses Tedford
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump pulled his endorsement of Oklahoma Republican Congressional candidate Jackson Rahmeyer, transferring his support to rival Mark Tedford. This unexpected turn of events unfolded just as Rahmeyer was preparing to announce the suspension of his campaign.
Rahmeyer stated in an interview that he had made the choice to withdraw the night before and had already informed his wife and campaign team before Trump’s announcement. “I made the decision last night to withdraw from the race,” he shared. “I have decided to prioritize my family over my political aspirations. I let my wife know late last night and then communicated with my team early this morning. My choice wasn’t influenced by the President’s announcement today.”
In the recent primary, Tedford secured first place with 32.2%, while Rahmeyer followed closely with 25.9%, allowing both to advance to a runoff aimed at deciding who will fill the seat of U.S. Rep. Kevin Hahn, who is vying for a U.S. Senate position.
Previously, Trump had referred to Rahmeyer as a “MAGA warrior,” making this shift in support rather notable ahead of the 2026 mid-term elections. In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced at around 2:23 p.m. that he would now be backing Tedford, stating, “I am incredibly thankful for Jackson Rahmeyer’s dedication under trying circumstances. He’s always stood with me. However, for the present Congressional race in Oklahoma’s 1st District, I will be supporting Mark Tedford, an America First Patriot.”
Trump characterized Tedford as “fully pro-Trump and MAGA,” expressing his complete support for the state legislator. Just minutes later, at 2:32 p.m., Rahmeyer took to X to declare the cancellation of his campaign, citing prayerful consideration with his wife and team over the past day. “I’ve made the challenging decision to end my Congressional campaign,” he stated. “I don’t wish to hinder my family, my church, or the wonderful people of Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District, who deserve a robust conservative voice in Washington.”
As of now, Rahmeyer, Tedford, and the White House have been contacted for comments, but White House officials have directed inquiries back to Trump’s earlier statement on Truth Social without adding further remarks.
This change in support comes after days of swirling controversy in Rahmeyer’s campaign, including reports related to interactions with former Miss Oklahoma USA, Caitlin Simmons-Key. Rahmeyer acknowledged crossing a line through text messages amid a dispute over how the situation was portrayed. Neither Trump nor the White House has elaborated on the reasons behind the support shift, as Tedford looks poised as a strong candidate in a predominantly Republican district.
