Republican Matt Van Epps secured victory in Tuesday’s special election for Tennessee’s 7th District House seat, delivering the GOP a crucial win after a race that came far closer than expected in the traditionally conservative stronghold.
Van Epps, a former Army helicopter pilot who received President Trump’s endorsement, defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn by 8.9 percentage points with 99% of votes counted.
The margin represented a significant underperformance compared to Trump’s 22-point victory in the district during last year’s presidential election, according to reports.
The 36-year-old Behn, currently serving as a state representative and who has been branded by Trump as the “AOC of Tennessee,” energized Democratic hopes for an upset after late polling showed the race tightening considerably.
The surprisingly competitive contest prompted urgent campaign visits from both President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Trump celebrated the outcome on Truth Social, stating congratulations to Van Epps on his win in Tennessee.
Trump noted that Democrats had invested millions of dollars in the race, calling it another great night for the Republican Party.
During his victory speech, Van Epps emphasized loyalty to Trump’s political agenda.
He stated that politicians who distance themselves from the president or abandon policies supported by the American people do so at their own risk.
Van Epps declared this remains Trump’s party and expressed eagerness to begin his congressional work.
The geographic breakdown revealed stark regional divides within the district.
Behn dominated in Davidson County, home to Nashville, winning by more than a three-to-one margin. Notably, Behn made headlines earlier this year for saying, “I hate Nashville.”
Van Epps compensated for this deficit through strong performances in the district’s other counties across central Tennessee.
At her campaign event, Behn appeared in a western-style rhinestone suit while performing Dolly Parton’s song.
She told supporters the night marked not an ending but the beginning of a new chapter in Tennessee and American politics focused on possibility, power and progress.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin issued a statement characterizing the results as evidence that Democrats remain on offense while Republicans face challenges heading into next year’s midterm elections.
The vacancy occurred when former Rep. Mark Green, who previously chaired the House Homeland Security Committee, resigned earlier this year to pursue private sector opportunities.
The race gained additional significance following Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-GA) announcement last month that she would depart Congress in January.
Upon Van Epps’ swearing-in, Republicans will temporarily hold 220 House seats compared to 213 for Democrats, with two vacant seats in Democrat-controlled districts scheduled for special elections in early 2026.
Speaker Johnson campaigned for Van Epps in the district on Monday, while Trump conducted two tele-rallies encouraging voter turnout.
This activity followed an Emerson College poll showing Van Epps leading Behn by just two percentage points.
Trump emphasized the stakes during his get-out-the-vote calls, noting Republicans currently maintain only a three-vote advantage over what he termed the radical left in the House of Representatives.
Johnson acknowledged that every seat carries heightened importance given the razor-thin majority in the lower chamber.
