In a closely watched special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, Republican candidate Matt Van Epps emerged victorious against Democratic challenger Aftyn Behn, according to projections by major U.S. media outlets. The outcome preserves Republican control of a seat that has remained in conservative hands for over four decades.
The election, triggered by Republican Congressman Mark Green’s July resignation to enter the private sector, became a national battleground with both parties investing millions of dollars and deploying top leadership to campaign. The district, which spans from Alabama’s border to Kentucky and includes portions of Nashville, has not elected a Democrat in more than 40 years.
Van Epps, a military veteran with nine combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, secured his victory despite a significantly reduced margin compared to Donald Trump’s 22-point win in the district during the 2024 presidential election. The Republican candidate closely aligned himself with the former president, who provided a crucial endorsement during the primary and hosted a virtual rally to support his campaign.
The Democratic effort, led by state lawmaker Behn, focused primarily on affordability and quality-of-life issues. Despite a stronger-than-expected performance that narrowed the historical Republican advantage, Behn only carried Davidson County, which contains Nashville.
Top figures from both parties participated in the intense campaign, with former Democratic Vice Presidents Kamala Harris and Al Gore stumping for Behn, while Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson rallied support for Van Epps. Trump personally congratulated his ally on social media, claiming Democrats had ‘thrown everything at him, including Millions of Dollars.’
Political analysts are scrutinizing the reduced victory margin as a potential indicator for the 2026 midterm elections, particularly given the Republican Party’s narrow control of the House of Representatives. Democratic operatives involved in the campaign suggested the outcome signals vulnerability for Republicans despite the victory.