Mark
Tedford
Republican Mark Tedford, Oklahoma state rep and businessman, is the GOP nominee for Oklahoma's open 1st Congressional District seat in 2026.
- sources
- 9
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 20
Background
Mark Tedford is a Republican candidate for Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election, a seat left open by the retirement of Rep. Kevin Hern. He currently serves as the Oklahoma state representative for House District 69, having been elected in 2022 and serving since the 59th Legislature. 103
Tedford's professional background spans more than 30 years in insurance and construction in Tulsa. The Oklahoma House biography notes he has worked in insurance since 1992, and his campaign describes him as a businessman and community leader. 102
He holds an MBA from the University of Tulsa; a candidate profile additionally lists a bachelor's degree in business from Missouri Southern University and a master's in Christian apologetics from Biola University. 101 He lives in Tulsa County. 10
Tedford advanced to the Republican runoff in the June 2026 primary before winning the GOP nomination. He faces a Democratic opponent in the November general election for the open seat. 75
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 1, Oklahoma
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Oklahoma State Representative, House District 69
- Website
- tedfordforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 1newsTedford speaks at Durant Republican gathering; Trump endorses him at rally
Tedford spoke at a Republican gathering in Durant ahead of Trump's visit, emphasizing border security, government spending, taxes and American workers. He said, 'Let's give President Trump the Congress that he needs to finish the job.' Trump named Tedford among the congressional candidates he endorsed at the rally.
Oklahomans Gather in Durant Ahead of President Trump's ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1debateDebate challenge against Tedford reported publicly; no debate scheduled and no response from Tedford camp
The Black Wall Street Times reported Croisant's campaign had publicly challenged Tedford to debate multiple times since August 17 but had received no response from Tedford's campaign by publication date. No formal invitation with a proposed date, venue, or host had been identified.
John Croisant challenges Mark Tedford to congressional ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30endorsementTrump refers to Tedford as 'your next Congressman' in Oval Office video message
In a video posted ahead of the Durant rally, President Trump referred to Tedford as 'your next Congressman here in the First District,' providing a high-profile pre-rally endorsement boost.
President Donald Trump sends message to Oklahomans ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 22debateCroisant campaign raises debate issue directly with a Tedford campaign representative
Croisant's campaign said it raised the debate challenge with a Tedford campaign representative on August 22; according to the campaign, Tedford had not decided whether to debate.
John Croisant challenges Mark Tedford to congressional ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 17debateCroisant campaign issues first public debate challenge to Tedford via Facebook post
According to The Black Wall Street Times, Croisant's campaign first publicly challenged Tedford to debate in an August 17 Facebook post.
John Croisant challenges Mark Tedford to congressional ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 19filingLahmeyer files to withdraw from runoff, Tedford becomes Republican nominee unopposed
After Lahmeyer filed to withdraw, the August 25 runoff was canceled, formally making Tedford the Republican nominee for Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District.
Mark Tedford | Biography & Record - The Conservative Ledger · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 17endorsementTrump switches endorsement from Lahmeyer to Tedford; Lahmeyer suspends campaign
On June 17, Trump switched his endorsement from Jackson Lahmeyer to Mark Tedford. Lahmeyer suspended his campaign the same day and filed to withdraw on June 19, canceling the runoff and leaving Tedford as the Republican nominee.
Mark Tedford | Biography & Record - The Conservative Ledger · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 16newsTedford leads Oklahoma 1st District Republican primary with ~32% of vote
Tedford led the June 16 Republican primary with approximately 32% of the vote, setting up an August 25 runoff against Jackson Lahmeyer.
Mark Tedford | Biography & Record - The Conservative Ledger · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- State Rep. Clay Staires officialListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- National Federation of Independent Business organizationListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- Rep. Kevin Hern officialListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- House Speaker Kyle Hilbert officialListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- Insurance Commissioner Glenn Mulready officialListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- State Sen. Aaron Reinhardt officialListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- State Rep. Rob Hall officialListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- State Rep. Sheila Dills officialListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- Tulsa Firefighters Lodge 176 unionListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- Chambers of Commerce USA and Oklahoma organizationListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- Tulsa Police Lodge 93 unionListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- State Rep. Mike Lay officialListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell officialListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- Sen. James Lankford officialListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado officialListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- State Sen. Christi Gillespie officialListed as endorser on campaign website; no date given. tedfordforcongress.com
- Mike Johnson, Steve Scalise, Tom Emmer, and Lisa McClain (House Republican leaders) officialJoint endorsement posted by Speaker Johnson on X at 1:05 a.m. on June 18, 2026. x.com · Jun 18, 2026
- Donald Trump officialTrump switched support from Jackson Lahmeyer and said 'Mark Tedford has my Complete and Total Endorsement.' ktul.com · Jun 17, 2026
- Mayors of Broken Arrow, Sapulpa, Jenks, Bixby, Glenpool, and Sand Springs officialReported as endorsers by The Oklahoman on June 17, 2026. Campaign lists mayors of Broken Arrow, Sapulpa, Jenks, Glenpool, and Sand Springs; Bixby Mayor Brad Girard not listed on the retrieved campaign endorsement page. oklahoman.com · Jun 17, 2026
- Tulsa County Commissioners Stan Sallee, Lonnie Sims, and Kelly Dunkerley officialJoint statement of support dated May 27, 2026, calling Tedford 'the clear choice' for the district. tedfordforcongress.com · May 27, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $1.76M
- Spent
- $1.59M
- Cash on hand
- $174K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6OK01235(opens in a new tab)
Sources 9
- [1] John Croisant challenges Mark Tedford to congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [2] Oklahomans Gather in Durant Ahead of President Trump's ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [3] President Donald Trump sends message to Oklahomans ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [4] Mark Tedford | Biography & Record - The Conservative Ledger(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [5] Voter Guide Profile for OK U.S. Rep., Dist. 1 candidate(opens in a new tab) Jul 30, 2026
- [6] Jackson Lahmeyer withdraws from Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District Race(opens in a new tab) Jun 17, 2026
- [7] Mike Johnson(opens in a new tab) Jun 17, 2026
- [8] Tedford, Lahmeyer will head to runoff in Republican House primary(opens in a new tab) Jun 17, 2026
- [9] Mark Tedford for U.S. Congress(opens in a new tab) Mar 15, 2026