Trump-backed Van Epps wins Tennessee House race
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Photo: courtesy of the Van Epps campaign
President Trump-backed Matt Van Epps toiled to victory Tuesday for the District 7 U.S. House seat where a Republican won by more than 20 percentage points in 2024.
- With almost all precincts counted Tuesday night, Van Epps led by nearly 9 percentage points.
Why it matters: In defeating Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn, Van Epps expanded Republicans' narrow advantage in the House.
- The fact that it was close, in deep red Tennessee of all places, is another encouraging sign for Democrats heading into the midterm election in 2026. The narrow race comes on the heels of decisive wins by Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia.
- Republicans have held the seat since the Reagan administration, but the off-cycle election helped turn the district into a surprising battleground.
The big picture: The special election was held to replace U.S. Rep. Mark Green, who unexpectedly retired in the middle of his term.
- Green won the district, which stretches from the Kentucky state line to the Alabama state line, including parts of Nashville, by 21.5 percentage points last year.
- The seat was previously held by current U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn.
Zoom in: Van Epps put Trump at the forefront of his candidacy in the race's final stretch. Trump showed up at multiple virtual campaign rallies for Van Epps, who also had the support of Speaker Mike Johnson, Freedom Caucus co-founder Jim Jordan and Gov. Bill Lee.
- At a tele-town hall prior to the election, Trump attacked Behn and implored Republicans to get out and vote.
Between the lines: Van Epps, a military veteran and former cabinet member for Lee, earned Trump's endorsements just days before the Republican primary election in October.
- Behn, is viewed as a rising star among Tennessee Democrats. A former progressive grassroots organizer, she put affordability, funding hospitals and fighting the Trump administration at the forefront of her campaign.
What they're saying: "Running from Trump is how you lose," Van Epps said in a victory speech Tuesday night. "Running with Trump is how you win."
- "Congratulations to Matt Van Epps on his BIG Congressional WIN in the Great State of Tennessee," Trump said on Truth Social. "The Radical Left Democrats threw everything at him, including Millions of Dollars. Another great night for the Republican Party!!!"
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information.