Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District just delivered a punchy win for conservatives as Republican Matt Van Epps emerged victorious in Tuesday’s special election, sending a clear message to the progressive left.
This triumph over Democrat Aftyn Behn, by a solid 8.9 percentage points with almost all votes tallied, hands the GOP a much-needed boost to preserve their narrow U.S. House majority at the close of a rocky 2025, The Post reported.
The seat opened up earlier this year when Rep. Mark Green stepped away for a private-sector opportunity, sparking a fierce battle in the heart of central Tennessee’s Republican stronghold.
Van Epps, a seasoned Army helicopter pilot turned politician, had the wind of former President Donald Trump’s endorsement beneath his wings, a powerful nod that energized his base.
Trump didn’t stop at a mere pat on the back; he hosted two tele-rallies, while House Speaker Mike Johnson made a personal appearance in the district on Monday to hammer home the importance of every single seat.
Behind the scenes, GOP-aligned Make America Great Again Inc. flexed financial muscle, investing close to $1.7 million, nearly half of it on digital ads, in their first major campaign spend since recent national races.
Across the aisle, Aftyn Behn, a 36-year-old state representative, put up a spirited fight, fueled by a $1 million injection from the House Majority PAC and endorsements from prominent national Democrats.
High-profile figures like former Vice President Kamala Harris showed up for a canvassing event in Nashville, and a virtual rally featuring Al Gore and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lit up screens the night before the vote.
Despite dominating in Davidson County by a wide margin, Behn couldn’t sway the rest of the district, where Van Epps’ appeal to traditional Republican values held firm.
Behn’s campaign stumbled under the weight of resurfaced remarks, including a 2020 podcast clip where she expressed disdain for country music, a cultural misstep in a state that breathes Nashville’s twang.
Trump and GOP messaging also spotlighted her past critiques of Christianity and policing, alongside a 2019 op-ed branding Tennessee as racially biased, painting her as disconnected from local sensibilities.
“The Democrats are spending a fortune, and we don’t want people that want to raise your taxes,” Trump warned during a tele-rally, adding with a sharp edge, “How the hell can you elect a person like that?”
Van Epps, basking in the victory, made it clear he’s all in on the conservative agenda, cautioning against any Republican who might stray from the party’s core principles.
“No matter what the DC insiders or liberal media say, this is President Trump’s party,” Van Epps declared, eager to roll up his sleeves and tackle the challenges awaiting in Washington.
As Van Epps prepares to take his oath, Republicans will temporarily bolster their House edge to 220-213, though two vacant Democrat seats loom for early 2026 specials, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s planned January exit adds another layer of uncertainty to the GOP’s tightrope walk.