The political spotlight in Tennessee is shining squarely on the state’s 7th Congressional District, where Democrat Aftyn Behn and Republican Matt Van Epps are gearing up for a high-stakes special election on December 2, 2025. The race was set in motion after longtime Republican Rep. Mark Green announced his resignation in June, ending his tenure that began in 2018. As both parties scramble to secure the pivotal seat, the contest is shaping up to be more than just a local affair—it’s a litmus test for national political trends, party loyalties, and the enduring influence of Donald Trump’s brand of conservatism.
Behn, a Tennessee state lawmaker and former healthcare community organizer, emerged victorious from a closely fought four-way Democratic primary. She secured over 8,640 votes, representing nearly 28% of the vote share—a margin of about 900 ballots over her nearest rival, businessman Darden Hunter Copeland. The primary was competitive from the get-go, with only about 1,500 votes separating Behn from the fourth-place finisher, Vincent Dixie. "This victory belongs to every volunteer, voter and believer who knocked doors, made calls and shows that people power still wins in Tennessee," Behn declared on Facebook after her win, adding, "Now, we’re taking this momentum into the general—because our communities deserve a representative who fights for us, not corporate donors. Let’s finish the job."
The Tennessee Democratic Party was quick to celebrate Behn’s win, posting, "Congratulations Rep. Aftyn Behn! We look forward to sending you to Washington D.C.!" The enthusiasm from party leaders was echoed by Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, who applauded a surge in turnout and voiced confidence in Behn’s ability to champion working families. Martin stated, "Aftyn Behn will fight tooth and nail to lower costs for working Tennessee families and stand up for the people of Middle and West Tennessee instead of the billionaires Matt Van Epps wants to represent."
Yet Behn faces an uphill battle in a district that has been reliably Republican since 1983. Historically, the GOP has secured at least 59% of the vote for over two decades. However, the landscape shifted in 2021 when the Republican-controlled state legislature redrew district boundaries to include parts of northern Nashville, infusing the district with a larger Democratic base. Since then, Republicans have not surpassed 60% of the vote, and this change has injected a dose of uncertainty into the upcoming contest.
Behn’s campaign has zeroed in on energizing rural voters and expanding the electorate, especially among millennials and Gen-Z. Her grassroots efforts appeared to pay off during early voting, which saw turnout nearly split down the middle—50.6% for Democrats, 49.4% for Republicans. "The only way to win the general is by expanding the electorate to include young people," Behn told The Tennessean on election night. She also signaled her intention to rally national support, calling the race "the first referendum on the Big Ugly Bill," a reference to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and predicting, "everyone in the country will be wanting to get involved in this race."
On the other side of the aisle, Matt Van Epps sailed to victory in the Republican primary, commanding more than 51% of the vote—totaling 19,001 ballots—in a crowded field of 11 candidates. His closest competitor, Jody Barrett, managed just under 9,350 ballots, or about 25% of the vote. Van Epps, a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard and former commissioner of general services under Governor Bill Lee, was a relative newcomer to many voters. But a last-minute endorsement from former President Donald Trump on October 3, 2025, gave his campaign a major boost. Trump’s backing was emphatic: "HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!"
The Trump endorsement proved decisive, prompting state Rep. Lee Reeves to withdraw from the race and urge his supporters to back Van Epps. The Tennessee Republican Party celebrated the outcome, stating, "Congratulations Matt Van Epps! We look forward to keeping this seat red on December 2." Van Epps himself was jubilant on election night, telling supporters, "Tonight you’ve sent a message loud and clear. The people of Middle and West Tennessee stand with President Trump. Thank you, Mr. President, for your trust and support."
Van Epps’ campaign was also bolstered by significant outside spending—$1.3 million from political action committees supported by high-profile billionaires, including TikTok investor Jeff Yass, the Bezos family, and hedge fund magnate Paul Singer. Throughout the primary, Republican candidates vied to prove their allegiance to Trump and his America First agenda. Van Epps made his military service a centerpiece of his campaign, even featuring a Chinook helicopter on his campaign logo and using martial language to frame his candidacy. During the victory celebration, Army helicopter pilot Matt Bertulli recounted their harrowing experience in Afghanistan: "Then you get back in that same aircraft because it just got repaired and you fly back into that target. That’s the kind of leader that you have in the Tennessee 7th."
For Van Epps, the general election is about keeping the district firmly in Republican hands. "We’re going to win the general and keep this seat RED!" he proclaimed online, echoing the sentiments of many conservatives who see the race as a crucial test ahead of the 2026 midterms. The contest is also being watched closely for what it might reveal about the enduring power of Trump’s endorsement and the evolving political dynamics in a district that, while traditionally conservative, is no longer the sure thing it once was.
Meanwhile, Behn is undaunted by the district’s Republican history. She’s betting that demographic shifts, new district boundaries, and energized young voters can tip the scales. Her campaign has already drawn attention from national Democratic figures and organizations, all eager to see if Tennessee’s 7th might be the site of a political upset. "Everyone in the country will be wanting to get involved in this race," Behn predicted, underscoring the broader significance of the contest.
As December 2 approaches, both candidates are sharpening their messages and mobilizing their bases. For Behn, the focus is on grassroots organizing and policy proposals aimed at working families. For Van Epps, the campaign is about military leadership, conservative values, and unwavering support for Trump’s agenda. With the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives potentially at stake, all eyes will be on Tennessee’s 7th District as voters prepare to make their voices heard in what promises to be a hard-fought and closely watched election.
The outcome of this race will not only determine who represents Middle and West Tennessee in Washington, but may also offer a glimpse into the future direction of American politics as the nation heads toward the next round of midterms.
