Names to watch in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Mark Green

State of play: One challenger has already thrown his hat in the ring. Matt Van Epps, a former cabinet member for Gov. Bill Lee, immediately announced his candidacy.

The intrigue: Nashville is now carved into three congressional districts, and none of its current representatives live in the city.

• Former Nashville mayoral finalist Alice Rolli tells Axios she's thinking about running.

What we're hearing: In addition to Van Epps and Rolli, here are some of the names making the rounds as potential Republican challengers:

• State lawmakers Bill Powers, Gino Bulso and Jody Barrett and former state Rep. Brandon Ogles are possible candidates.
• The race could garner some entertainment industry star power if John Rich from the band Big & Rich runs.
• Conservative operatives Mark Moore, Chris Burger and Brian Clifford are also viewed as possible challengers.

The other side: Democrats will be primed to run as well.

• Nashville state Rep. Bo Mitchell confirms to Axios he's thinking about a run. Mitchell grew up in Dickson and worked for the Clarksville chamber of commerce as well as former state Sen. Pete Springer, so he has ties to parts of the district outside of Nashville.