Republican Matt Van Epps is the projected winner of the closely watched special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, the Associated Press reported, averting a Democratic upset in a closer-than-expected race.
With 99% of the vote counted, Van Epps led Democrat Aftyn Behn about 53.9% to 45%, according to the AP. President Donald Trump carried the district by 22 points in 2024.
In his victory speech, Van Epps praised Trump’s endorsement, saying, “Tonight, we showed running from Trump is how you lose,” and, “Running with Trump is how you win. Our victory was powered by supporters of President Trump turning out to vote.” Trump congratulated Van Epps in a social media post calling it a “BIG congressional WIN” and “another great night for the Republican Party!!!”
Behn came within striking distance in a deep-red district, and Democrats sought to cast her over-performance — following December governor wins for Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey — as a referendum on Trump’s second term and evidence of an emerging advantage for Democrats in 2026. Behn told supporters, “This isn’t the end of our story. It’s not even close,” and said the grassroots movement she built could fuel another run next year. “We may not have won tonight, but we changed the story of what’s possible here, and we’re not done, not by a long shot.”
The final weeks of the campaign turned the contest into a national battleground, with heavy hitters from Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson to former Democratic vice presidents Kamala Harris and Al Gore campaigning for their candidates. Both parties poured millions of outside dollars into the race, with Republicans outspending Democrats. DNC Chair Ken Martin credited Democrats’ showing to a focus on grocery and housing costs and said, “What happened tonight in Tennessee makes it clear: Democrats are on offense and Republicans are on the ropes,” calling Behn’s performance “historic” in a Trump +22 district.
The 7th District is predominantly rural, stretching from Tennessee’s northern border with Kentucky to its southern border with Arkansas and including parts of liberal Nashville. The special election filled the seat vacated by Republican Rep. Mark Green, who resigned in July. Turnout was uncertain, as special election voting patterns — particularly after Thanksgiving weekend — can be unpredictable.
Van Epps’ initial term will be short; he must run again in next year’s midterms. His victory will add one seat to Republicans’ current 219 House seats, bringing them to 220 once he is sworn in; Democrats hold 213. However, Speaker Johnson is expected to lose another Republican vote in January when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation takes effect.
