In the midst of a heated special election campaign for Tennessee's 7th congressional district, Democratic nominee Aftyn Behn has come under scrutiny for past comments expressing a strong dislike for Nashville, the city she aims to represent. This revelation has surfaced through a 2020 podcast, where Behn voiced her disdain for the city's music, culture, and even labeled the state as "racist."
Aftyn Behn, who is currently running against Republican nominee Matt Van Epps, has found herself at the center of a growing controversy after her disparaging remarks about Nashville were made public. "I hate the city, I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music, I hate all of the things that make Nashville. I hate it," Behn stated in the podcast episode.
Further exacerbating the situation, Behn is also reported to have written in 2019 about Tennessee's social climate, stating, "Tennessee is a racist state. Racism is in the air we breathe." These comments have resurfaced five years later as she campaigns to be the district's representative in Congress, raising questions about her sincerity and views towards the constituents she seeks to serve.
The controversy comes at a time when Behn has released an advertisement that embraces the very elements she previously criticized. The ad features country music and a Nashville vibe, and positions Behn as an advocate for Tennesseans against what she describes as a "rigged" system in Washington. In the ad, she speaks out against tax cuts for billionaires and the burying of the Epstein files, which she claims exemplify the government's disregard for the struggles of hard-working Tennesseans.
The Republican Party has seized on Behn's past comments, questioning why she would want to represent a city and state she has claimed to despise. The GOP's response has been straightforward, urging voters to reject Behn's candidacy and what they describe as her "radical left agenda."
President Donald Trump, who won the district by a significant margin in the 2024 presidential election, has endorsed Behn's opponent, Van Epps. In a recent tele-rally, President Trump praised Van Epps as a "true America First patriot," urging voters to support him.
In response to the backlash, Behn has dismissed the criticisms as a political attack by the GOP, asserting that she does not hate Nashville. She defends her position on social media, stating her emotional connection to the city and suggesting that the Republican focus on her past comments is a sign of their concern over the competitiveness of the election.
As the December 2 election approaches, the impact of these revelations on Behn's campaign remains to be seen. Voters in Tennessee's 7th district will soon decide whether her past sentiments will influence their choice at the ballot box.
