Democrat Aftyn Behn from Nashville and Republican Matt Van Epps, a former General Services Commissioner, will compete in the special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. Van Epps secured his place after winning the GOP primary with nearly 49% of about 35,000 votes, surpassing Dixon state Rep. Jody Barrett, who garnered around 27%. His success in Clarksville, bolstered by military connections, an endorsement from former U.S. Rep. Mark Greene, and a surprise nod from Donald Trump, significantly influenced his campaign. Additionally, he benefitted from around $750,000 from independent PACs, which don’t disclose donor information, including one that depicted him in military uniform, labeling him a “MAGA warrior.”
On the Democratic side, Behn narrowly captured her primary with about 28% of the votes in a crowded field, where all candidates exceeded 20%. While she only won one out of the 14 counties, she performed strongly in Nashville and Clarksville. Behn positioned herself as a progressive outsider, making the case that significant voter turnout was essential for Democrats to compete in Republican-dominated areas.
The 7th District, once held by Greene, who resigned in July, encompasses the northern and western sections of Davidson County, parts of Williamson and Montgomery counties, and several rural areas. The district’s boundaries were redrawn in 2022, a move by the state Republican Party that effectively eliminated the congressional seat representing all of Nashville.
The Republican primary was contested by 12 candidates, with Van Epps shining among them. As candidates sought to differentiate themselves, they strived to align their policies closely with those of Donald Trump. The Democratic primary was also competitive, featuring Behn alongside businessman Darden Copeland, Vincent Dixie, and Bo Mitchell. Copeland, new to campaigning, garnered 24.8% of the vote, while Mitchell and Dixie closely followed with 24% and 23.2%, respectively.
Currently, Republicans maintain a slim 219-213 edge in the U.S. House, and a Democratic win would not upset this narrow majority but might reduce it ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The victor of the special election on December 2 will need to run again in 2026 for a full term.
Examining the Republican Primary
Approximately $2.5 million was spent in independent advertising through mailers and TV spots. A pro-private school group, the School Freedom Fund, invested about $700,000 targeting Barrett, who opposed their plans as a state representative. This Fund had a substantial impact on Tennessee’s 2024 state House elections, spending nearly $3.3 million to back pro-voucher candidates, including Reeves. Van Epps gained an early lead when he announced his candidacy shortly after Greene’s resignation.
Additionally, Bulso contributed $500,000 to his campaign, while Reeves spent $300,000 of his own money. As the election approached, Van Epps secured endorsements from Trump and Governor Bill Lee, and Reeves eventually withdrew to support him.
Democratic Primary Dynamics
In contrast to the Republicans, significantly less money was funneled into the Democratic races. Copeland spent over $125,000 of his own funds, raising the rest largely from contributions. Behn, a community organizer since 2017, used her passionate public speaking in debates to set herself apart from the competition. This marks her second victory against more centrist Democrats in recent years; she previously won a state House seat in a 2023 special election, defeating an appointee from the Metro Nashville Council.
Despite her successes, Behn steps into this new race as a notable underdog. District 7 is regarded as a solidly Republican seat, with Greene having increased his winning margin by 20 percentage points in prior elections, partially due to the redistricting that now includes portions of Nashville.
This situation is evolving.
