Republican nominee Matt Van Epps won Tuesday’s special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, defeating Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn in a closely watched contest to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Mark Green, who resigned in June to take a private sector position.
The Associated Press projected Van Epps as the winner as ballots continued to be counted.
In his victory statement, Van Epps said, “This race was bigger than just one campaign. It represented a defining moment for Tennessee and for the direction of the country.”
Early returns showed him leading by roughly nine points.
The district, which covers central and western parts of the state and includes sections of Nashville, has been firmly Republican for years.
President Donald Trump carried it by 22 points in last year’s presidential election, and Green won re-election in 2022 and 2024 by more than 20 points.
Even so, polling ahead of the special election indicated a competitive race following Democratic gains in the 2025 elections.
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Asked on Election Day whether the margin mattered, Van Epps told Fox News Digital, “a win is a win.”
He added, “we’re going to press as hard as we can to win by the biggest margin we can, and then we’re going to hold the majority in ’26.”
Behn, a state representative and former healthcare community organizer often compared to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, addressed supporters after the results came in.
“Although tonight is not the final result of what we wanted…it is the beginning of something so powerful in Tennessee and across the South,” she said in her concession remarks.
Speaking earlier at a Nashville Democratic Party office, she told supporters, “Whatever happens, win or lose, you’ve inspired a country. You’ve shown people the South has something to say.”
When asked by Fox News Digital whether she felt she had achieved a form of victory without carrying the election, Behn said, “For me, we’ve already won over the hearts and minds of so many Tennesseans and across the country. What starts here changes this country.”
She also said, “I think the electorate is shifting to accept a candidate like me that has a progressive track record.”
Behn centered her campaign on affordability and healthcare.
National Democratic groups highlighted her gains in the heavily Republican district.
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a public statement,
“What happened tonight in Tennessee makes it clear: Democrats are on offense and Republicans are on the ropes.”
He added, “Aftyn Behn’s overperformance in this Trump +22 district is historic and a flashing warning sign for Republicans heading into the midterms.”
House Majority PAC said, “Tonight’s results make it clear: No House Republican’s re-election should be considered safe next November.”
The National Republican Congressional Committee pointed to Van Epps’ background as a combat veteran and former Tennessee Department of General Services commissioner.
NRCC Chair Richard Hudson said, “Tennesseans know they can trust Van Epps to fight for their safety, security, and prosperity. No one is better positioned to take up the mantle and deliver results for Tennessee families, workers, and small business owners.”
President Trump endorsed Van Epps during the primary and congratulated him on social media following the win, writing that it was a “BIG Congressional WIN” and “Another great night for the Republican Party!!!”
Van Epps told supporters in his victory speech, “Our victory was powered by a movement of Tennesseans that are ready for change. We are grateful to the President for his unwavering support that charted this movement and catapulted us to victory. President Trump was all-in with us. That made the difference. In Congress, I’ll be all-in with him.”
Responding to Democratic claims about their momentum, Van Epps told Fox News Digital, “we have the resounding victory. This is a victory for Republicans. It’s a victory for our district. It’s a victory for President Trump. We are going to take this momentum forward, and we’re going to win in 2026.”
Outside groups from both parties poured millions into the race, and both national committees deployed staff to the district.
House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigned with Van Epps on Monday, telling Fox News Digital, “Special elections are strange because a lot of people take for granted in a deep red district like this that the Republican is just going to win automatically. Nothing’s automatic.”
Johnson phoned President Trump during one rally, allowing him to address supporters by speakerphone.
“Let’s make it a sweeping victory,” Trump said. “The whole world is watching Tennessee right now.”
Later that evening, Trump joined Van Epps for a tele rally. Other Republicans, including Gov. Bill Lee, Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, and several members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation, joined the candidate on the trail.
Democrats also sent notable figures to support Behn. Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, LaTosha Brown of the Black Voters Matter Fund, and former Vice President Al Gore participated in a virtual rally the night before the election.
Behn faced sustained criticism from Republicans over past statements.
In a 2020 podcast, she said, “I hate the city, I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music, I hate all of the things that make Nashville apparently an ‘it’ city to the rest of the country. But I hate it.”
She said in a CNN interview that she was a “private citizen” when she made those remarks and described frustration with tourist congestion.
Republicans also pointed to a 2019 op-ed titled, “Tennessee is a racist state, and so is its legislature,” and resurfaced comments critical of law enforcement from an old social media account.
Van Epps said in an interview, “She does not represent the values of Tennessee or of America. She is as far left as you can get. She’s a radical.”
Johnson called her “a dangerous far leftist,” and Trump claimed she “hates Christianity” and “hates country music.”
Behn responded to the criticism by telling supporters, “Clearly, I’m living rent-free in President Trump’s mind,” and joked, “I always love to hear from my fans.”
She told Fox News Digital she was “running on a very simple message of addressing the affordability crisis that Tennesseans are facing, and they [Republicans] don’t have a remedy for it.”
