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Trump Endorsement Upends Tennessee 7th District GOP Primary on Eve of Vote

Matt Van Epps enters Tuesday favored following two withdrawals plus a tele-rally boost.

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)
Matt Van Epps, the former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, is President Donald Trump's choice in the special election for the state's 7th District. (Courtesy Matt Van Epps for Congress/Facebook)

Overview

  • President Donald Trump endorsed Matt Van Epps on Friday after early voting ended, adding to support from former Rep. Mark Green, Gov. Bill Lee and Rep. Jim Jordan.
  • State Rep. Lee Reeves and businessman Stuart Cooper suspended their campaigns and urged remaining voters to back Van Epps, though their names remain on the ballot.
  • Trump planned a Monday night tele-rally with Club for Growth as outside groups accelerated spending, including more than $850,000 from School Freedom Fund to boost Van Epps and oppose Jody Barrett.
  • Early voting closed with 36,028 ballots cast, including 18,203 Republicans and 17,825 Democrats, with Republicans trailing only in Davidson County.
  • The deep-red 7th District makes Tuesday’s Republican primary the pivotal contest ahead of the Dec. 2 special general election.