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3h ago

Trump-Endorsed Matt Van Epps Wins Tennessee GOP Primary, Faces Aftyn Behn on Dec. 2

The off-cycle general in the strongly Republican 7th District will be watched for its modest implications for the House GOP’s narrow majority.

The state flag of Tennessee stands outside the office of Tennessee's 7th Congressional District in Washington, Sept. 2, 2025, which has a seat that became vacant following the resignation of Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn. on July 20. (AP Photo/Robert Yoon)
This combination photo of candidates to replace Republican Rep. Mark Green in a Tennessee special election for the U.S. Seventh Congressional District shows Republican Jody Barrett, from top left, Democrat Aftyn Behn, Republican Gino Bulso, Democrat Darden Copeland, Democrat Vincent Dixie, Republican Mason Foley, and bottom row from left, Republican Joe Leurs, Democrat Bo Mitchell and Republicans Lee Reeves, Matt Van Epps and Tres Wittum. (AP Photo)
Republican candidates for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District Matt Van Epps, Lee Reeves, Gino Bulso and Jody Barrett debate at CabaRay Showroom in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Sept. 5, 2025.
Matt Van Epps on Sept. 8, 2025, in Dickson, Tenn.

Overview

  • Matt Van Epps secured the Republican nomination to succeed Rep. Mark Green, defeating a crowded field after earning endorsements from President Donald Trump, Gov. Bill Lee and Rep. Jim Jordan.
  • Trump’s endorsement arrived after in-person early voting ended and reshaped the race, prompting GOP candidates Lee Reeves and Stuart Cooper to suspend their campaigns and urge support for Van Epps.
  • Democrat Aftyn Behn won her party’s four-way primary, setting a Dec. 2 special general election in a district that spans parts of Nashville, affluent suburbs, rural counties and Fort Campbell.
  • Outside groups poured more than $3.1 million into the GOP primary, with roughly $1.1 million spent against state Rep. Jody Barrett as school-voucher votes and conservative credentials drove advertising.
  • Republicans enter the December contest favored in a seat Trump carried by roughly 20-plus points in recent elections, and a GOP win would slightly bolster Speaker Mike Johnson’s working margin in the House.