Overview
- Matt Van Epps won Tennessee’s 7th District special election with about 53% of the vote, according to media projections Tuesday night.
- The contest was framed nationally as a referendum on President Donald Trump, who endorsed Van Epps and promoted him on Truth Social.
- The district has historically delivered Republican margins of 22 to 47 points, making the close outcome notable for a seat long considered safe.
- Democrat Aftyn Behn, a state representative and former social worker, campaigned on lowering food taxes and improving rural healthcare.
- The vacancy was created when Republican Mark Green left Congress in July, and national GOP figures, including Speaker Mike Johnson at a Nashville event, boosted Van Epps’ bid.