The political fallout in Nashville from the District 7 election
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State Rep. Aftyn Behn, right, takes the stage to a cheering crowd prior to her concession speech on Tuesday night. Photo: Jon Cherry/Getty Images
A closer-than-usual showing in the U.S. House District 7 special election on Tuesday left Tennessee Democrats with something they haven't experienced much in the last 15 years: a genuine sense of optimism.
- When state Rep. Aftyn Behn took the stage at Marathon Music Works, flanked by several smiling Nashville elected officials, the happy scene looked more like a victory celebration than a concession speech.
Why it matters: Democrats are jazzed up because Behn lost to Republican Matt Van Epps by just under 9 percentage points.
- Republican Rep. Mark Green won the same district one year earlier by 21.5 points.
The big picture: Democrats hope the marked improvement in District 7 bodes well for next year's race for the District 5 held by Rep. Andy Ogles, which the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has already identified as a targeted race.
What she's saying: "Tonight's election results prove exactly what the DCCC has known all along: Democrats are on offense not just in the standard swing districts but in red terrain across the country," DCCC spokesperson Madison Andrus said.
The other side: Tennessee Republicans are not panicking, in part because of the unusual dynamic created by lower turnout special elections.
Zoom in: After the District 7 race gained national attention, Republican voters took notice and showed up big for Van Epps on Election Day.
- Behn narrowly won the early vote by three percentage points, but lost Election Day by a margin of 60% to 39%.
"This is an important takeaway as this was a special election the Tuesday after Thanksgiving," according to an analysis of the race by the Republican consulting firm Baker Strategies Group.
- "Looking ahead to November 2026, there will be higher awareness for key elections further out from Election Day. "
Blue Nashville got even bluer
Democrats dominated the District 7 race in Davidson County, where Behn beat Van Epps by a whopping 60 points. Kamala Harris beat President Trump by 24 points in the District 7 portion of Davidson County last year, according to the Tennessean.
- Insiders credited Behn's ground game, which was helped by progressive activist groups like the Tennessee Equity Alliance.
- It's the latest demonstration of the clout progressive groups have in Nashville proper. Two years ago, the candidates they backed performed well in Metro Council races compared to business community-backed challengers.
Behn's future
Behn is a dynamic progressive who's especially skilled at organizing, and Nashville politicos are wondering what's next for her.
- Behn told CNN she "looks forward to maybe competing with [Van Epps] next year," indicating a rematch could be in store.
- Some insiders wonder if Behn would consider running for Nashville mayor in the future.
- Things can change, but she was an emphatic no on that possibility in September when she told Axios over text, "I love my city, but the best use of my time is winning this congressional seat."