Tennessee Special Election Live Updates: Trump Backs 7th ...

America’s political spotlight is on Tennessee as voters in the 7th congressional district head to the polls Tuesday, December 2, for a special election to replace former Republican Rep. Mark Green. The race has tightened in recent weeks, drawing national attention as both parties fight for control of a seat just west of Nashville.

What to Know:

The district includes parts of Davidson County and 13 other counties.
Republican candidate Matt Van Epps, a decorated Army veteran, leads Democrat Aftyn Behn, a state representative, by 2 points in the latest Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey—within the margin of error.
Top GOP figures, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump, have campaigned for Van Epps.
Behn has drawn support from leading Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris.
The race comes amid Democratic momentum in off‑year elections, including wins in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City.
Green resigned in July to enter the private sector, leaving the seat open. He had won reelection in 2024 with nearly 60% of the vote.
The district has historically leaned Republican, with Trump carrying it by 22 points in the 2024 presidential election.

Stay with Newsweek as Tennessee voters decide who will fill the 7th district seat.

Dec 02, 2025 at 09:52 AM EST

When did Mark Green announce his retirement?

Mark Green, a physician and retired U.S. Army surgeon, represented Tennessee’s 7th congressional district from 2019 until his resignation in 2025. A Republican, Green chaired the House Committee on Homeland Security from 2023 to 2025 before leaving Congress to enter the private sector.

A West Point graduate, Green served as an infantry officer before earning his medical degree at Wright State University. He became a flight surgeon with the Army’s elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, participating in missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, including Operation Red Dawn, which captured Saddam Hussein. He later authored a book about the experience.

After retiring from the military in 2006, Green founded Align MD, a hospital staffing company, and launched a medical foundation providing care to underserved communities. He entered politics in 2012, winning a Tennessee Senate seat, where he championed legislation to repeal the state’s Hall Income Tax and expand protections for veterans and small businesses.

Green was elected to Congress in 2018, succeeding Marsha Blackburn, and won reelection three times. His tenure included a brief bid for House Speaker in 2023 and leadership on homeland security issues. He announced his resignation in June 2025 after the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” ending his congressional career on July 20.

Dec 02, 2025 at 09:46 AM EST

What to know about Matt Van Epps

Matt Van Epps, 42, has quickly risen from relative obscurity to become a central figure in Tennessee politics. Backed by former President Donald Trump, billionaire‑funded PACs, and both current and former state governors, he has emerged as the Republican nominee in the closely watched special election for the 7th congressional district.

A native of suburban Cleveland, Van Epps moved to Tennessee after a decade in the U.S. Army. A decorated combat helicopter pilot, he served nine tours in Afghanistan and Iraq and graduated from West Point. He now holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard.

Beyond his military career, Van Epps worked in state government, including roles in Veterans Services and Transportation, and later led the Department of General Services. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, he served as a strategic planner in Tennessee’s Unified Command Group, helping shape the state’s response. His role earned him the nickname “Tennessee’s Fauci” from opponents in the Republican primary.

Van Epps’ rapid ascent, bolstered by national GOP support, has made him a key player in a race that could influence the balance of power in Congress.

Dec 02, 2025 at 09:41 AM EST

Who is Aftyn Behn?

Aftyn Behn, a Tennessee state representative since 2023, is the Democratic nominee in Tuesday’s special election for the state’s 7th congressional district. Behn, 36, first entered the legislature after winning a special election to succeed the late Rep. Bill Beck, defeating interim appointee Anthony Davis in the primary and securing more than 75 percent of the vote in the general election.

Before holding office, Behn worked in social services and as a healthcare organizer with the Tennessee Justice Center. In the legislature, she has advanced proposals to repeal the state’s grocery sales tax, codify the Equal Rights Amendment in Tennessee’s constitution, and partnered with Republican colleagues on workplace harassment reforms. She also drew attention in 2025 for confronting federal immigration agents during patrols in Nashville.

Behn currently serves on the Agriculture & Natural Resources, Transportation, Naming & Designating, and Disaster Relief committees. She won the Democratic primary in October against fellow lawmakers Vincent Dixie and Bo Mitchell, as well as businessman Darden Copeland. She now faces Republican Matt Van Epps in a race triggered by the resignation of GOP Rep. Mark Green.

Dec 02, 2025 at 09:36 AM EST

Why is Tennessee having a special election?

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Voters in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District head to the polls Tuesday in a closely watched special election to replace former Rep. Mark Green. The race, normally a safe Republican seat, has tightened as both candidates emphasize affordability amid rising costs.

Republican Matt Van Epps, a Trump‑backed Army veteran, faces Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn, who has campaigned on lowering healthcare and grocery expenses. National figures have weighed in: President Donald Trump called into Van Epps’ rally Monday, while former Vice President Al Gore and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez joined virtual events for Behn.

The contest comes as Democrats have outperformed expectations in recent special elections, raising hopes of another upset. More than $5 million has been spent on advertising, with both parties pouring resources into the district.

Republicans have attacked Behn over past comments on policing and Nashville, while she counters that her record reflects a commitment to affordability and local decision‑making. With the GOP’s House majority already fragile, the outcome could carry national implications.

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