Early voting is underway in the District 7 U.S. House race, which has taken on national political interest as Democrats grapple for control of Congress.

Why it matters: The race pits two ascending politicians against one another: Republican nominee Matt Van Epps, a President Trump-backed war veteran, and Aftyn Behn, a progressive grassroots organizer turned state representative.

The big picture: Democrats have some wind in their sails following impressive election victories earlier this month stretching from Georgia to New York. Republicans hold a modest six-seat advantage in the House.

• Off-cycle elections are often considered wild cards, giving the challenging party a fighting chance to pull off an upset.
• In Tennessee, the upcoming special election is due to Rep. Mark Green surprisingly retiring earlier this year.

The intrigue: Multiple Democratic pollsters have released data showing Behn gaining ground compared to how the District 7 race unfolded last year.

Flashback: Green defeated former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry in 2024 by 21.5 points.

• The recent polls, one an internal poll from the Behn campaign and another from the pro-Democratic political action committee Your Community PAC, showed Van Epps up about nine points.
• The district was designed by state Republican lawmakers during redistricting three years ago to water down mostly Democratic Nashville, while remaining a safe GOP seat.

State of play: Van Epps earned the backing of the Republican political establishment and fought his way to a victory in a competitive primary last month.

• In addition to Trump, Gov. Bill Lee and House Freedom Caucus cofounder Jim Jordan supported Van Epps.
• Prior to running for the House, Van Epps held several positions in the Lee administration, most recently serving as commissioner of General Services. A West Point graduate, the veteran served as a helicopter pilot for multiple tours in the Middle East.

The other side: Behn cut her teeth as an organizer, working on issues such as health care and gun reform.

• She unseated state Rep. Anthony Davis, who had the backing of establishment Democrats at the time, to win the Nashville state House seat in 2023.
• Behn emerged victorious in a crowded primary of viable candidates last month, cementing herself as not just a political upstart, but a clear leader of progressive politics in Tennessee.
• She made waves earlier this month when she told Axios she is not committed to voting for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as speaker.

What we're watching: One reasonable scenario is that Van Epps wins but by a narrowing margin. If that happens, it could be another warning sign for the GOP in 2026, and Behn's star will continue to shine.

Where to vote: The secretary of state has posted early voting locations and hours for the District 7 race.

• Election day is Dec. 2.

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State Rep. Caleb Hemmer made the surprising announcement earlier this week that he won't seek reelection next year.

Why it matters: Hemmer is just 45 years old, an age when politicians don't typically walk away from elected office.

What he's saying: The Democrat tells Axios that a year ago at this time, he envisioned himself running for governor in 2026.

• Instead, he says he wants to spend more time with his family and focus on his day job as a health care executive.
• "People view this as a lifetime job, and I just never viewed it that way," Hemmer says. "I viewed it as a tour of duty and my way to give back."

State of play: Hemmer will serve out his term, including representing the district covering parts of western and southern Davidson County during the upcoming session.

• The district's electoral makeup favors Democrats, but Republicans figure to push hard for the open seat.

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Margot Café & Bar, which played a starring role in East Nashville's culinary and creativity renaissance, will close next summer.

Why it matters: Margot set up shop at a time when unique, high-minded independent restaurants were rare in Nashville. The Five Points neighborhood hadn't yet achieved its status as a cultural mecca of bars, music venues and creatives.

• The final service will be on June 5, 2026, which is the 25th anniversary of the restaurant's opening.

Zoom out: Margot went on to win accolades, including from the James Beard Foundation, while remaining a beloved neighborhood staple.

What she's saying: Chef and owner Margot McCormack explained the difficult decision to cease operations in a note on social media.

• "We have survived 9/11, the recession of 2008, a flood, the influx of so many new restaurants, a tornado, COVID, and so much more," McCormack said. "The last five years have been harder than the first 20 put together."
• "I am that much older and wiser and don't have much more fight in me," McCormack added. "I am ready for a new chapter. I'm not sure what that means just yet but it begins with dinner at home."
• The handsome brick building will be listed for sale, the "Nashville Scene" reports.

What's next: Margot doesn't plan to just fizzle out. "I hope to see as many of you as often as possible right up until the end. We are going out with a bang with many celebrations yet to come," McCormack said.

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