The primary election scheduled for October 2nd is for a special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District.

There are 19 candidates vying to succeed US Rep. Mark Green, including six state representatives.

This group comprises three Democrats and three Republicans, along with a Montgomery County Commissioner and former officials from Governor Bill Lee’s administration.

Mark Green, who retired in July, had voted for President Donald Trump’s budget bill and was initially elected in 2018, succeeding Marsha Blackburn, who later ran for the Senate.

The 7th District covers parts of Davidson, Williamson, and Montgomery counties—a significant Republican stronghold, despite some rezoning in traditionally Democratic areas of Davidson County in 2021. In fact, President Trump won the district in 2024 by 22.3%.

The primary will happen on October 7th, followed by the general election slated for December 2nd.

Democratic candidates

• Rep. Aftyn Behn: Behn, a Democrat from Nashville, won a special election in 2023 to succeed the late Congressman Bill Beck. She has a social work background and is up for reelection in November 2024. Her website is https://www.aftynforcongress.com/.
• Darden Copeland: A businessman from Nashville, he runs Calvert Street Group, a public relations firm focused on land use and regulatory matters. His website is https://www.dardenforcongress.com/.
• Rep. Vincent Dixie: Dixie has represented the Tennessee Legislature since 2018. He owns a bail bond business and holds degrees from Tennessee State University. His website is https://www.dixie4tn.com/.
• Rep. Beau Mitchell: Having been elected in 2013, he also served on Nashville’s Metro Council from 2007 to 2015. He graduated from the Nashville School of Law. His site is https://www.votebo.com/.

Republican candidates

• Rep. Jody Barrett: An attorney from Dixon, Barrett has served in the Tennessee Legislature since 2020 and received top ratings from conservative watchdogs. Visit his website at https://www.jodybarrettfortennessee.com/.
• Senator Gino Bruso: A trial lawyer from Brentwood, Bruso was elected in 2022 and notably opposed a bill aimed at banning marriages between first cousins. His website is https://votegino.com/.
• Stewart Cooper: Based in Franklin, Cooper is involved in sales for a Florida IT service provider. His site is https://www.cooper4congress.com/.
• Adolf Agbeko Daggan: No available information on Daggan.
• Mason Foley: Foley worked as a staffer for Senator Mitch McConnell before moving to Main Street Health, which serves rural Medicaid patients. His website is https://foleyforcongress.
• Jason D. Knight: Knight has served on Clarksville’s City Council and is currently on the Montgomery County Commission. He has military experience with the 101st Airborne Division. His site is https://www.jasonknight.org/.
• Joe Leurs: A retired Marine and former officer with the Metro Nashville Police Department.. His website is https://www.joeleurs-tn.com/.
• Stewart Park: A Nashville real estate agent who participated in the January 6 Capitol riot, Park received a presidential pardon from Trump in January 2025.His site is https://parksfortn.com/.
• Rep. Lee Reeves: Reeves narrowly won the Republican primary for the House 65th District in August 2024 and subsequently won the general election. His wife sits on the Williamson County Board of Education. Website: https://leereeves.com/.
• Matt Van Epps: Previously a service committee member under Gov. Bill Lee, Van Epps is now a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee National Guard. His site is https://www.mattfortn.com/.
• Tres Wittum: A former Tennessee Senator, he ran for Congress in Tennessee’s 5th District in 2022 and for the US Senate in 2024 against Marsha Blackburn. His website is https://treswittum.com/.

Independent candidates

• Teresa “Terry” Christie: Christie is reportedly managing a wholesale home decor business in Hickman County.
• Bobby Dodge: He is aligning with the American Party, which was recently established by Elon Musk.
• Robert James Sutherby: No information is currently available about Sutherby.
• Jonathan “John” Thorpe: Thorpe is a helicopter pilot for AirMethods and a former police pilot for the Metro Nashville police. His website is https://www.thorpforcongress.com/.