OKLAHOMA CITY — A Tulsa pastor endorsed by Donald Trump says divine guidance helped move him from “no” to candidate in one of Oklahoma’s most crowded Republican primaries — a race that now doubles as a test of how far religion-infused politics can go in a post-2024 GOP.
The Rev. Jackson Lahmeyer, founder of Pastors for Trump and senior pastor at Sheridan Church, entered the race for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District after initially declining to run following U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern’s decision to vacate the seat.
Lahmeyer told The Oklahoman he reconsidered after discussions with his wife — and prayer.
“I often tell people to let the Lord weigh in on their life decisions,” Lahmeyer said, adding that he ultimately felt called to run.
That call was quickly reinforced politically. Trump endorsed Lahmeyer early, calling him a “MAGA Warrior” and signaling support from the party’s national wing as the June 16 primary approaches.
Faith-forward — and critics take notice
Lahmeyer openly embraces the label of “Christian nationalist,” at least on his own terms, describing himself as both a “follower of Jesus” and an “America First” nationalist.
According to reporting by The Oklahoman, scholars who study Christian nationalism say the ideology often includes beliefs that America has a special role in God’s plan and that government should reflect Christian principles. Critics, including some religious leaders cited in the report, argue it can distort core Christian teachings and pose risks to democratic norms.
Lahmeyer rejects those characterizations, arguing they are politically motivated attacks.
Mixing pulpit and politics
Unlike many pastors who tread carefully around electioneering, Lahmeyer has made political engagement central to his ministry and organizing.
He founded Pastors for Trump to mobilize evangelical voters and has argued churches should play a more direct role in elections — a stance he doubled down on amid ongoing legal disputes over the Johnson Amendment, which restricts political endorsements by tax-exempt nonprofits.
He has also taken firm positions on cultural and religious issues, including opposition to mosque development efforts in Broken Arrow and repeated assertions that the United States was founded as a Christian nation.
A crowded, low-clearance primary
Lahmeyer is one of roughly 10 Republicans competing for the Tulsa-area seat, alongside candidates including Corporation Commissioner Kim David and State Representative Mark Tedford.
The field reflects a broad ideological spread within the GOP, from traditional conservatives to candidates aligned more closely with Trump’s political movement.
Lahmeyer’s early endorsement advantage — and his direct line to Trumpworld figures who have visited his church — could prove decisive in a race where retail politics may matter more than policy white papers.
The pitch: divine purpose meets political ambition
If elected, Lahmeyer said he intends to advance Trump’s “America First” agenda and bring “Oklahoma values” to Washington.
And while candidates often claim a sense of mission, Lahmeyer’s version comes with a higher-level consultation.
In a primary already short on clear policy contrasts and long on familiar talking points, one candidate is making a closing argument that’s harder to poll-test: he says he asked God — and got an answer.
Source: Reporting by The Oklahoman.
