Matt Van Epps Wins Tennessee’s 7th District in Closely Contested Special Election
NASHVILLE — Republican Matt Van Epps has emerged victorious in Tennessee’s Seventh Congressional District special election, securing 53.2% of the vote and narrowly defeating Democrat Aftyn Behn, who garnered 45.7%, according to official reports. The election, held on December 2, 2025, fills the seat left vacant when Rep. Mark Green resigned this past summer to pursue private sector work.
Van Epps, originally from Ohio, addressed supporters at Nashville’s Millennium Hotel Maxwell House, expressing gratitude to voters and his campaign team. “Tonight, the people of Middle Tennessee have spoken. I am honored to represent you in Congress and will work tirelessly to uphold our shared values,” he said.
A High-Stakes, High-Intensity Campaign
The race was marked by intense campaigning in the final days. Both parties poured significant resources into the district: Van Epps raised nearly $993,000, while MAGA Inc., a super PAC, contributed approximately $1 million. Behn’s campaign raised around $1.2 million and received an additional $1 million in advertising support from the House Majority PAC.
Observers noted an unusual surge in volunteers and campaign activity in the hours leading up to Election Day, particularly in Franklin, Clarksville, and other key counties, sparking discussion about the role of last-minute mobilization in determining the outcome.
Van Epps’s campaign leaned heavily on alignment with former President Donald Trump, emphasizing policies such as border security, support for American manufacturing, backing farmers, and opposition to transgender athletes in women’s sports. Trump made a remote appearance from a barn rally, having been prevented from visiting the district in person due to Secret Service protocols.
Pre-election polling had suggested a tight race. An Emerson College/The Hill survey conducted on November 26 showed Van Epps slightly ahead at 48% support versus Behn at 46%, reflecting the competitive nature of the contest.
What This Means for Tennessee and the GOP
Van Epps will now represent 14 counties across Middle Tennessee, including downtown Nashville, further solidifying Republican control in the region. While the GOP maintains a majority in the House, his victory highlights the continued influence of Trump-endorsed candidates and the growing role of grassroots mobilization in close elections.
Behn conceded shortly after the results were announced, praising her campaign volunteers and emphasizing that the district remains a battleground for future contests.
Political analysts view the race as emblematic of the current climate in Tennessee: deeply polarized, highly competitive, and increasingly shaped by both financial investment and on-the-ground organizational efforts in the final hours of a campaign.
Conclusion
Matt Van Epps’s narrow win underscores the significance of strategic campaigning and high-profile endorsements in determining election outcomes. As he prepares to take office, the result serves as a reminder of the fine margins that can shape congressional representation in key districts and the continued sway of Trump-backed candidates in local and national politics.