Matt Van Epps Retains GOP Seat Over Aftyn Behn Despite De...

By Andrew Stanton

Weekend Staff Writer

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Republican Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn in a special election in a conservative House of Representatives district in Tennessee Tuesday night—but Democrats improved on former Vice President Kamala Harris’ showing in the district.

Why It Matters

Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District is not typically viewed as competitive, as it has easily backed President Donald Trump in each of his three presidential bids. But Democrats were hopeful that his diminishing approval rating and a flurry of special elections could bode well for them in Tuesday night’s election.

While Behn fell short of a victory, she did perform better than Democrats did in November 2024, when Trump carried the district by 22 percentage points.

The outcome also gives Republicans an extra seat in the House of Representatives, a relief for House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican. In the House, the GOP currently holds 219 seats and Democrats hold 213 seats. That could narrow next year following the expected resignation of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, and two other special elections in more Democratic-leaning seats.

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What To Know

Van Epps, an Army veteran, led state legislator Behn by about 6 percentage points as of 9:37 p.m., when the Associated Press called the race for the Republican candidate. That marks an improvement for Democrats, compared to Harris's 22-point loss in November 2024.

Although the district usually leans Republican, the race drew national attention.

Polls pointed to a potentially competitive race in the district, which is comprised of parts of Nashville, Clarksville and more conservative rural and suburban areas in central Tennessee. An Emerson College poll showed Van Epps up 2 points over Behn in November (49 percent to 47 percent). It surveyed 600 likely voters from November 22-24 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

The seat opened up after former Representative Mark Green, a Republican, retired from Congress early to take a private sector job.

Van Epps received support from Trump, who urged Republican voters to turn out in the days leading up to the election. Harris attended a canvassing event for Behn but did not endorse her. Other prominent Democrats, including former Vice President Al Gore and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, supported Behn’s candidacy. Special elections are often seen as a referendum on the president.

Forecasters viewed Van Epps as the favorite. The Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball both classified the race as Likely Republican.

When Did Polls Close in Tennessee?

Polls closed at 7 p.m. local time.

When Did Mark Green Announce His Retirement?

Green announced his retirement from Congress in June.

"Recently, I was offered an opportunity in the private sector that was too exciting to pass up," he said in a statement at the time.

What People Are Saying

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social Tuesday morning: “I am asking all America First Patriots in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District to please GET OUT AND VOTE for a phenomenal Candidate and MAGA Warrior, Matt Van Epps! You can win this Election for Matt, who has my Complete and Total Endorsement. HE WILL BE A GREAT CONGRESSMAN and, unlike his Opponent, he cherishes Christianity and Country Music — She has openly stated that she hates them both!”

Behn previously told Newsweek: "Matt Van Epps and Washington Republicans are panicking because they know Tennessee families are suffering under their failed economic policies that are raising their costs, while they lower taxes for their billionaire donors. My affordability message—to lower grocery costs, housing costs, and health care costs—is resonating with voters of all political stripes, which is why this race is now tied."