Republican Matt Van Epps Clinches Victory in Tennessee Special Election
In a nail-biting contest, Republican Matt Van Epps has emerged victorious in a special election for a traditionally deep-red congressional seat in Tennessee, as projected by NBC News. Despite a significant Democratic challenge, this longtime GOP domain stood its ground.
The Numbers Game
President Donald Trump secured the 7th Congressional District by a whopping 22 points in 2024, but this time the stakes were high as Republican super PACs splashed millions to safeguard the seat. Van Epps faced off against Aftyn Behn, a Democratic state representative, who aimed to steal the show. Interestingly, Democrats didn’t hold back, pouring nearly the same amount into the race.
While Trump’s influence has waned this year and the Democratic Party saw success in various elections across states like New Jersey and Virginia, the GOP managed to hold onto this red district. Van Epps, an Army veteran and former state official, leaned into the MAGA themes and promised to carry on the legacy of Mark Green, the Republican who resigned earlier this year.
In the end, with most votes counted, Van Epps maintained a 9-point lead district-wide. This election is yet another chapter in the tale of Democrats making strides compared to their performance just a year ago.
Election Day Dynamics
Though Behn enjoyed an early voting advantage, Van Epps capitalized on the Election Day turnout, hinting that Republican efforts to mobilize voters had paid off handsomely.
Republicans couldn’t contain their excitement, with Trump celebrating Van Epps’ win on Truth Social. “Congratulations to Matt Van Epps on his BIG Congressional WIN in the Great State of Tennessee. The Radical Left Democrats threw everything at him, including Millions of Dollars. Another great night for the Republican Party!!! President DJT,” he remarked.
Democratic Perspective
However, Democrats viewed Behn’s performance as a promising sign for the party ahead of the pivotal 2026 midterm elections. “What happened tonight in Tennessee makes it clear: Democrats are on offense and Republicans are on the ropes,” stated Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin, dubbing the results a “historic” overperformance.
Campaign Strategies
The days leading up to the election were marked by a flood of national figures, with both candidates engaging in an intense, costly ad war. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Ken Martin were seen rallying for Behn, while Trump’s tele-rallies for Van Epps and House Speaker Mike Johnson’s appearances in the district signaled a unified GOP front.
Johnson, optimistic yet cautious, acknowledged the unpredictability of special elections, stating, “Anything can happen, so we take no vote for granted.” He also mentioned how turnout tends to dwindle outside the usual early November timeline.
Key Messaging
In interviews prior to the election, Van Epps emphasized campaigning on “security, opportunity, and prosperity,” praising Green’s collaboration with the Trump administration on border security as a solid foundation to build upon. His campaign also tackled rising costs of living, harshly criticizing career politicians for “reckless spending.”
Financially, Republican groups unleashed over $3.5 million targeting Behn while championing Van Epps. Notably, MAGA Inc., the main super PAC aligned with Trump, forked out over $1.7 million in independent expenditures since joining the race in mid-November.
To undermine Behn’s candidacy, super PACs and conservative media highlighted her own words, which included claims of being “a very radical person” who “hates this city,” referring to Nashville.
The Counterattack
The response from Democrats was fierce, with extensive ad spending exceeding $800,000 from House Democrats’ principal super PAC and Behn’s campaign exceeding $1 million. Targeted ads from Behn’s side honed in on Van Epps’ contentious stance on the bill related to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, which Trump eventually signed into law.
Looking Ahead
As a colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard, Van Epps intends to retain his commission while serving in Congress. He expressed his desire to contribute where House Republicans need him, ideally making a mark on the House Armed Services Committee with his military background.
