Republican Van Epps narrowly holds House seat in Tennessee as far-left Democrat makes unexpected surge

Republican Matt Van Epps has emerged victorious in a closely contested special election for Tennessees 7th Congressional District, signaling potential challenges for the GOP ahead of next years midterm elections. Van Epps, an Army veteran, defeated progressive state legislator Aftyn Behn with 53.2% of the vote as of Tuesday evening, with 93% of ballots counted.

Former President Donald Trump quickly congratulated Van Epps, posting on Truth Social after roughly three-quarters of the votes were tallied. Congratulations to Matt Van Epps on his BIG Congressional WIN in the Great State of Tennessee, Trump wrote, highlighting the efforts of Democrats and their spending in the campaign.

Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters praised the outcome, stating, "Voters didnt just reject Aftyn Behn and her anti-Tennessee, abolish-the-police agenda they rejected the Democrats entire radical platform.

This victory temporarily increases the Republican majority in the House of Representatives to 220 seats, though it will slightly decrease in January following the resignation of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).

The race was unexpectedly competitive. Despite the district favoring Trump by 22 points just over a year ago, Van Epps faced strong opposition from Behn, reflecting a potential shift in voter sentiment. Polling by YouGov/Economist indicates 45% of voters would support a generic Democrat in next years elections, compared to 39% for a generic Republican.

Campaign Efforts and National Support

Both candidates received substantial national attention. House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigned extensively with Van Epps, while Trump participated in a tele-rally. Behn also gained high-profile support, including visits from Vice President Kamala Harris and a tele-rally featuring Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pramila Jayapal, as well as former Vice President Al Gore.

Despite being in a deep-red district, Behn outperformed expectations. Republicans focused on portraying her as a radical, citing deleted tweets about defunding police and other controversial statements criticizing Nashvilles culture.

Implications for 2026 and Beyond

The narrow margin has boosted Democratic optimism heading into 2026. The YouGov/Economist poll also showed only 38% of Americans approve of Trumps current role, reflecting broader challenges for the Republican Party. Democrats have already made notable gains in 2025, including special congressional elections in Florida, a Supreme Court race in Wisconsin, and governorship victories in Virginia and New Jersey.

Despite these trends, House Speaker Johnson remains confident, asserting Republicans will maintain and even expand their majority. The election also highlights Trumps reduced direct involvement in supporting Republican campaigns, as he made only a brief remote appearance rather than traveling to the district personally.

Author: Sophia Brooks