Daijiworld Media Network - Nashville
Nashville, Dec 3: Republican Matt Van Epps has emerged victorious in a high-stakes special election for Tennessee’s deeply Republican 7th Congressional District, NBC News projected, overcoming a strong challenge from Democratic state representative Aftyn Behn.
Despite President Donald Trump having carried the district by 22 points in 2024, the contest drew significant national attention. Republican super PACs poured millions into defending the seat, while Democrats invested heavily, seeing an opportunity as Trump’s influence faced scrutiny and the party made gains in recent state elections in New Jersey, Virginia, and elsewhere.
Van Epps, an Army veteran and former state official, ran on staunch MAGA-aligned themes, pledging to continue the legacy of Mark Green, the Republican who resigned earlier this year. With most votes counted, Van Epps led by approximately nine points, though Democrats successfully narrowed the margin compared to the previous election. Early votes favored Behn, but Van Epps surged on Election Day itself, indicating the effectiveness of Republican turnout efforts.
President Trump congratulated Van Epps on Truth Social, writing, “Congratulations to Matt Van Epps on his BIG Congressional WIN in the Great State of Tennessee. The Radical Left Democrats threw everything at him, including Millions of Dollars. Another great night for the Republican Party!!!” Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters echoed the sentiment, framing the victory as a rejection of the Democrats’ “radical platform.”
Democrats, however, viewed Behn’s performance as a positive signal ahead of the 2026 midterms. DNC Chair Ken Martin described the results as a “historic overperformance” and a “flashing warning sign for Republicans heading into the midterms.” High-profile Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, campaigned in support of Behn, while Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson rallied for Van Epps in the district.
The campaign was marked by intense advertising and national attention. Republican groups spent over $3.5 million in ads against Behn, with MAGA Inc. contributing $1.7 million in independent expenditures. The strategy focused on portraying Behn as radical and unfit for the district while energizing GOP voters to turn out for Van Epps.
Van Epps campaigned on issues of “security, opportunity, and prosperity,” emphasizing border security, cost-of-living concerns, and a critique of career politicians. The win consolidates Republican control of the district while highlighting the narrowing margins that Democrats achieved, signaling a potentially competitive landscape for upcoming elections.