Democrats inject "Epstein files" into special election that's scaring GOP
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Images: Courtesy of the Van Epps and Behn campaigns
Republicans are racing to avoid an upset in Tennessee, where Democrats hope President Trump's opposition to releasing the "Epstein files" will help them splinter the conservative vote in a special election on Dec. 2.
Why it matters: Trump won Tennessee's 7th congressional district by 22 percentage points in 2024. Losing the seat — vacated by former Rep. Mark Green — to Democrats would fuel expectations that the party is heading for a tough midterm election.
- A liberal group called Your Community PAC began a $300,000-plus ad blitz on Friday attacking GOP nominee Matt Van Epps for opposing the release of documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
- "The Epstein files are locked away. Matt Van Epps will keep them that way," the ad says.
The intrigue: Voters have also begun receiving mailers from an outside group that appear to be aimed at splintering the conservative vote.
- The mailer boosts long-shot independent candidate Jon Thorp, noting his support for releasing the Epstein files. And it targets Van Epps for his opposition to it.
Zoom in: Republicans tracking the race say Van Epps is ahead, but not by as much as they would like.
- Trump on Thursday hosted a tele-rally in which he boosted Van Epps and labeled Democratic nominee Aftyn Behn a "Marxist" and tied her to New York City mayor-elect and democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani.
- Behn, a state representative, denied the "Marxist" charge to the Nashville Banner. "I've spent my entire career focused on making healthcare more affordable, and I don't think that's 'radical,'" she told the outlet.
The big picture: Republicans have struggled in this year's elections, including a tighter-than-expected special election for a Florida House seat, a loss in a Wisconsin Supreme Court election and last week's drubbings in the Virginia and New Jersey governor races.
What's next: Two GOP groups, the Club for Growth Action and Conservatives for American Excellence PAC (CAE PAC), are planning to launch six-figure ad campaigns next week, Axios has learned.
- CAE PAC will spend more than $600,000 in the weeks leading up to the election. Its first ad will begin running Nov. 18.
- Club for Growth Action's commercials will also start next week.
The bottom line: Republicans are confident of Van Epps will come out ahead, but aren't taking any chances.
