Republican Matt Van Epps has won the high-profile special election for Tennessee’s 7th congressional district, NBC News projected, holding a seat long considered safely GOP but unusually competitive this year. Despite Donald Trump having carried the deep-red district by 22 points in 2024, Democrats significantly tightened the margin, cutting the Republican lead to 9 points with most votes counted.Van Epps, an Army veteran and former state official, defeated Democratic state representative Aftyn Behn after an expensive contest that drew national political figures and millions in super PAC spending from both parties. Republicans invested heavily to retain the seat, while Democrats saw an opportunity amid Trump’s weakened national standing and recent Democratic gains in states like Virginia and New Jersey.Trump celebrated the outcome on Truth Social, writing, “Congratulations to Matt Van Epps on his BIG Congressional WIN in the Great State of Tennessee. The Radical Left Democrats threw everything at him, including Millions of Dollars. Another great night for the Republican Party!!! President DJT.”RNC chair Joe Gruters said voters “rejected Aftyn Behn and her anti-Tennessee, abolish-the-police agenda,” adding they had also rejected “the Democrats’ entire radical platform.”Democrats, however, described the closer-than-usual margin as a strategic victory ahead of the 2026 midterms. DNC chair Ken Martin said, “What happened tonight in Tennessee makes it clear: Democrats are on offense and Republicans are on the ropes,” calling the overperformance “historic” and a “flashing warning sign” for the GOP.The race saw heavy mobilization from both parties. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Martin campaigned with Behn in Nashville, while Trump held tele-rallies for Van Epps. House Speaker Mike Johnson joined the Republican candidate on the trail and noted that “a special election is an odd thing, anything can happen,” pointing to typically low turnout.Van Epps campaigned on themes aligned with the MAGA wing, focusing on border security, inflation and cost-of-living concerns. He positioned himself as the successor to former Representative Mark Green, saying his work with the Trump administration “serves as a good way to pick up the ball and run with it.”Super PACs played a central role, with Republican groups spending over $3.5 million and MAGA Inc. alone putting in more than $1.7 million. Democrats poured in nearly equal spending, attacking Van Epps on issues including his earlier opposition to releasing files related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.Van Epps, a colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard, plans to continue his military commission while serving in Congress and hopes to join the house armed services committee.
