Van Epps Holds Tennessee Seat in High-Profile Special Election

Republican Matt Van Epps has won a closely watched special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, keeping the seat in GOP hands while highlighting political shifts that could shape the 2026 midterm elections. (AP News)

Van Epps, a former Army officer and State official, secured victory Tuesday to fill the seat left open by the resignation of Republican Rep. Mark Green earlier this year. The special election, held Dec. 2, drew rare national attention for a race in a district that has been a Republican stronghold.

With nearly all votes counted, Van Epps defeated Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn by a roughly 54%-45% margin, according to official returns. The outcome sustains Republican control of the seat but represents a narrower victory than past contests in the district, which President Donald Trump carried by more than 20 points in 2024.

“This race was bigger than just one campaign,” Van Epps said in remarks after the race was called. He thanked supporters and emphasized his commitment to the party’s priorities in Washington.

The contest became a de facto referendum on GOP strength and Trump’s influence in red states. In the days before the election, President Trump repeatedly called the special election a “big thing” and said the result would reflect on him and the broader Republican Party. He urged voters to back Van Epps and warned that a slim margin of victory could trigger negative media narratives about GOP momentum.

Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson both campaigned virtually and in person for Van Epps, stressing the importance of the race for the Republican majority in the U.S. House. Trump later celebrated the win in a post on Truth Social, calling it a “big Congressional win” and saying Democrats “threw everything at him.”

Van Epps also credited Trump’s support for helping deliver the victory. Following the primary in October, he told supporters that backing from the President “made the difference” in his campaign.

Behn, who served in the Tennessee House before running for Congress, made gains in many parts of the district, including strong showings in Nashville’s Davidson County. Her performance was significantly stronger than past Democratic candidates in the same district and has energized party activists looking toward 2026.

Despite her defeat, Behn struck an optimistic tone, noting that the closer-than-expected result in a deeply Republican district signals opportunity for Democrats nationwide. “Tonight isn’t the end,” her campaign said, framing the outcome as part of broader Democratic momentum and hinting that she would run against VanEpps in the fall.

Political analysts cast the result as a barometer of voter sentiment. Republicans view Van Epps’ victory as a sign they can hold ground even in tough races, while Democrats see Behn’s performance as evidence of growing competitiveness in places once thought safe for the GOP.

The 7th District seat will remain in Republican hands through January 2027. But, the closer margin and strong turnout for Behn have already drawn attention from national strategists planning for the 2026 midterm elections.