Republican Matt Van Epps won Tennessee’s 7th District special election, defeating Democrat Aftyn Behn by about nine points. His victory keeps the seat in GOP control following Mark Green’s resignation and reflects strong Republican turnout across central Tennessee.
The special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District wrapped up with Republican Matt Van Epps securing the seat, keeping it in GOP hands after former Rep. Mark Green stepped aside to pursue a private-sector role.
The position set up a high-energy contest between Republican Matt Van Epps, a military veteran and former state general services commissioner, and Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn, who ran on an assertively progressive platform.
The race drew interest not only because of the open seat but because it served as a test of political momentum in a district that has historically leaned heavily Republican.
Van Epps, from Nashville, ran as a conservative rooted in traditional Republican priorities.
His opponent, Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn, embraced a forceful progressive message focused on affordability, healthcare access, and working-class economic pressure.
Final Results: A Win, But a Narrower One
With 99% of votes counted, Van Epps led by roughly nine percentage points, securing the win and keeping the 7th District in Republican hands.
The margin, however, tells an interesting story:
- The district’s previous Republican candidate won by 21 points in the last general election.
- Former President Donald Trump carried the district by 22 points in his last presidential run.
A narrowing gap of this scale doesn’t change the winner — but it signals a shift in voter engagement, especially in suburban and urban precincts.
County Breakdown Reveals the Race’s Dynamics
Aftyn Behn posted a commanding result in Davidson County, the district’s most Democratic stronghold and home to Nashville. Her support among younger voters, urban progressives, and first-time voters helped inflate her margin there.
But outside Davidson County, the map belonged to Van Epps. He carried the district’s heavily conservative counties across central Tennessee, benefiting from strong rural turnout and steady support from long-time Republican voters.
Trump’s Shadow on the Race
Throughout the campaign, Van Epps leaned heavily into his alliance with former President Donald Trump, framing himself as a dependable conservative partner.
Trump supported him virtually in the closing days, energizing the Republican base and reinforcing the district’s long-standing loyalty to national GOP leadership.
On election night, Van Epps credited Trump directly, saying:
“Running from Trump is how you lose. Running with Trump is how you win.”
He described the campaign as a “movement” backed by Tennesseans aligned with Trump’s vision and said he plans to support Trump fully once in Congress.
What This Election May Signal Going Forward
Though Republicans held the seat, the short margin is likely to spark broader discussion about voter behavior in historically safe red districts.
Higher-than-normal turnout in suburban pockets, combined with a strong showing for Behn in Nashville, suggests potential shifts in how voters across the region are responding to national politics.
For Republicans, the win secures another vote in the U.S. House — but also offers a reminder that even solid conservative districts aren’t immune to tightening margins.
For Democrats, the result provides evidence that aggressive, progressive messaging can deliver competitive results in unexpected places, even if it doesn’t flip the seat.
