Republican Matt Van Epps has secured victory in Tennessee’s closely watched special election for the 7th Congressional District, according to projections from the Associated Press. His win prevents what could have been a major Democratic upset in a district that has long leaned strongly Republican.
President Donald Trump won this same district by 22 points in 2024, highlighting just how unexpectedly competitive this race became.
Election Results: Tighter Than Expected
With 99% of votes counted, the AP reported the following results:
Matt Van Epps (Republican): 53.9%
Aftyn Behn (Democrat): 45%
The nine-point margin is far narrower than historical performances in this deep-red region.
Why This Result Matters
The district has been reliably Republican for decades.
Democrats’ strong showing comes after other unexpected victories in Virginia and New Jersey.
Analysts see this contest as a possible indicator of national political momentum ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Sources: Associated Press, CNN
Van Epps Credits Trump for the Win
Speaking to supporters on Tuesday night, Van Epps said Trump’s endorsement “made all the difference” in pushing the campaign over the line.
“Running from Trump is how you lose. Running with Trump is how you win,”
— Matt Van Epps
He also urged his party not to panic over Democrats’ gains, insisting that the strong turnout from Trump supporters was key to the GOP victory.
Shortly after the AP projection, Trump congratulated Van Epps, celebrating his “BIG congressional WIN” and calling it “another great night for the Republican Party.”
Aftyn Behn’s Overperformance Energises Democrats
Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn came within striking distance of flipping the district — a result her party is hailing as a sign of enthusiasm heading toward 2026.
What Democrats Are Saying
They describe Behn’s showing as “historic” in a Trump +22 district.
They argue it signals growing frustration with Republican leadership.
They are framing the result as evidence of an upcoming “blue wave.”
Behn told supporters:
“This isn’t the end of our story… We may not have won tonight, but we changed the story of what’s possible here.”
Democratic Priorities During the Campaign
According to Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, Behn’s message resonated because she focused heavily on:
Lowering grocery costs
Tackling high housing prices
Improving healthcare affordability
A Fierce National Battle in a Rural District
Tennessee’s 7th District is a predominantly rural region, stretching from the Kentucky border down to Arkansas, and includes parts of Nashville, a more liberal urban area.
What was expected to be a routine Republican hold quickly transformed into a national showdown.
Major Political Figures Who Campaigned:
Donald Trump
House Speaker Mike Johnson
Kamala Harris
Al Gore
Both parties poured millions in outside funding into the contest, making it one of the most expensive special elections in recent Tennessee history. Republicans ultimately outspent Democrats.
The election was held to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Mark Green, who resigned in July.
What Happens Next for Van Epps
Although Van Epps has now won the special election, his time in office will be brief — he will have to run again in next year’s midterms to secure a full term.
Impact on the House of Representatives
Van Epps’ victory raises the Republican majority to 220 seats (once sworn in).
Democrats hold 213 seats.
Republicans will lose one seat in January when Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation takes effect.
Even so, this win slightly strengthens Speaker Johnson’s hand as he works to advance President Trump’s legislative agenda.
Key Takeaways
Matt Van Epps retains a deep-red Tennessee House seat for Republicans.
The race was unexpectedly tight, energising Democrats nationwide.
Trump’s influence remains strong within the GOP.
The Democrats’ close performance is being interpreted as a strategic warning for Republicans ahead of 2026.
Both parties treated this race as an important national battleground.
References
Associated Press (AP) Election Results
CNN Politics Reporting
Statements from Matt Van Epps, Aftyn Behn, and DNC Chair Ken Martin
Social media post from President Donald Trump
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