Democratic Primary Candidates Clash Over Payday Loans
A month ahead of the October 7 U.S. House primary, Nashville’s Democratic state Rep. Aftin Behn challenged fellow candidates over donations accepted from payday lender Advance Financial. During a gathering at First Baptist Church in Nashville, Behn expressed his discontent concerning the $25,500 received by opponent Beau Mitchell and the $4,000 by Vincent Dixie.
Behn, who narrowly won the Democratic nomination, actively criticized her opponents, making her a distinct voice among the four candidates. While she positioned herself against Mitchell and Dixie, who share legislative backgrounds, businessman Darden Copeland, who placed second in the primary, also highlighted the ramifications of corporate contributions throughout his campaign.
Concerns regarding Advance Financial’s practices were underscored by prior reports indicating that, over the last decade, the company sued over 110,000 Tennesseans, trapping many in unmanageable debt. The issue dates back to 2014 when a new payday lending product called flex loans was introduced to navigate federal regulations—a measure supported by Mitchell at the time.
In the backdrop of the primary, the resignation of Mark Green, a Republican who held the seat since 2019, paved the way for a special election. The district includes various regions of Davidson County and parts of surrounding counties, but a U.S. House seat specifically for Nashville was effectively eliminated through redistricting efforts by the Republican party.
Tight Republican Primary Race
The Democratic primary proved more competitive than its Republican counterpart, though it featured more candidates. Meanwhile, Republican leaders rallied around Matt Van Epps, a former General Services Secretary. The Republican field was trimmed down to four candidates as the campaign progressed, emphasizing Van Epps’ early lead and support from the Dark Finance Political Action Committee.
Despite an intense early competition with Barrett, Gino Balso, and Lee Reeves, Van Epps managed to consolidate a strong position, partly due to early activity following Green’s resignation and support from notable figures, including Greene, who hosted events for him.
Barrett emerged as a formidable contender, endorsed by grassroots organizations and breaking from certain traditional Republican stances. However, significant funding from the Club for Growth led to a barrage of negative ads against her, shaping the narrative as the race closed in on the final weeks.
As Barrett gained momentum, she encountered renewed backing for Van Epps from figures like Gov. Bill Lee, which culminated in President Trump’s late endorsement that shifted the dynamics close to the election date, ultimately leading Reeves to exit the race just days before voters went to the polls.
Lessons from Experience
In both primaries, the candidates’ past political experiences played a crucial role in shaping perceptions and voter preferences. Behn and Copeland, both new faces in the race, outperformed their more established opponents, Mitchell and Dixie, who have lengthy legislative histories. Notably, Copeland garnered impressive financial support, despite being relatively unknown at the outset of his campaign.
In the Republican primary, Van Epps triumphed over candidates who have previously served in the legislature, showcasing the effectiveness of his strategy in aligning himself with local interests and leveraging substantial funding despite his lack of prior office experience.
Democratic Party’s Prospects
Despite the strong Republican lean in the 7th District, illustrated by Greene’s consistent 20-point victories, there are signs of hope for the Democrats. The difference in primary votes was notable, with Democrats polling close to 31,000 against Republicans’ 36,000. Though Republicans historically achieve higher turnout, the Democratic vote neared record numbers this time.
The implications of this primary will extend to the general election between Van Epps and Behn, scheduled for December 2. As engagement grows, particularly during special elections, this moment could represent a shift for the Democratic Party in an otherwise solid Republican territory.
