Republican candidate Matt Van Epps emerged victorious in the special election for Tennessee's 7th District House seat on Tuesday. With 99% of the votes counted, Van Epps secured an 8.9 percentage point lead over his Democratic opponent, Aftyn Behn. The race had garnered national attention due to its competitive nature and the involvement of President Donald Trump, who endorsed Van Epps, a former Army helicopter pilot.
The margin of victory was notably smaller than President Trump's 22-point win in the district in last year's presidential election, indicating a tighter race than many had anticipated. Behn, who currently serves as a state representative, was labeled by President Trump as the "AOC of Tennessee" and managed to energize Democratic voters, leading to a considerable tightening in late polling.
The campaign saw urgent visits from high-profile figures, including President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, reflecting the importance placed on the race by both parties. Following the election results, President Trump took to Truth Social to congratulate Van Epps, remarking on the significant investment by Democrats in the race and describing the outcome as "another great night for the Republican Party."
During his victory speech, Van Epps reiterated his alignment with President Trump's political agenda. He highlighted the risks for politicians who distance themselves from the President or his policies, stating that the Republican Party remains firmly under Trump's leadership. Van Epps expressed his readiness to begin his work in Congress, signaling continuity with Trump-era policies.
The election's geographic breakdown revealed deep regional divides within the district. Behn performed strongly in Davidson County, which includes Nashville, winning by more than a three-to-one margin. This result came despite earlier controversial remarks from Behn about Nashville. Conversely, Van Epps compensated for the deficit by outperforming in the district's other central Tennessee counties.
At her campaign event, Behn donned a western-style rhinestone suit and performed a Dolly Parton song, telling her supporters that the election marked the beginning of a new political chapter centered on possibility, power, and progress. Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin issued a statement interpreting the close result as a sign that Democrats are on the offensive while Republicans face challenges ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
The special election was called following the resignation of former Rep. Mark Green, who left to pursue private sector opportunities. The race also gained significance in light of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-GA) announcement of her departure from Congress set for January. With Van Epps' win, Republicans will temporarily hold 220 House seats against 213 for Democrats, with two vacancies in Democrat-controlled districts set for special elections in early 2026.
In the days leading up to the election, Speaker Johnson campaigned for Van Epps, and President Trump conducted two tele-rallies to boost voter turnout. This followed an Emerson College poll showing Van Epps with only a two-point lead over Behn. President Trump underscored the high stakes during his calls, emphasizing the narrow Republican majority over what he termed the radical left in the House of Representatives. Johnson also acknowledged the critical importance of each seat given the slim majority in the chamber.
