Republicans maintain control of Tennessee seat in closely-watched race

Republicans will continue to hold a key congressional seat in Tennessee following a tightly contested election, according to projections from major US media outlets. Matt Van Epps emerged victorious in the race for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, defeating Democratic state legislator Aftyn Behn.

In the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump carried this district by 22%, though recent polling suggested a significantly closer contest this time. Analysts have interpreted the race as a potential indicator for the 2026 midterm elections, with the Republican margin of victory being carefully examined.

Early projections indicate Van Epps won with a margin far smaller than Trumps previous 22% lead. Losing the seat would have represented a major setback for Republicans, who hold a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, and could have signaled a decline in Trumps political influence.

The congressional district spans from the Alabama border to Kentucky and includes portions of Nashville. Historically, no Democrat has won this seat in over four decades. The seat became available after Republican Congressman Mark Green resigned in July to pursue work in the private sector. Both parties invested heavily to support their candidates.

High-profile party figures campaigned in Tennessee, including former Democratic Vice Presidents Kamala Harris and Al Gore, and Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. Van Epps closely aligned himself with Trump, who endorsed him through a virtual rally and later congratulated him on social media, highlighting the financial effort Democrats made to win.

Behn only carried Davidson County, which includes Nashville, while Van Epps dominated the other counties. Ian Russell, a Democratic strategist involved in Behns campaign, remarked that significant resources were required for Trumps support to secure the seat, noting it could signal challenges for Republicans ahead of the midterms.

Tennessee remains a stronghold for Trump, who secured 64% of the vote in the 2024 election and over 60% in the previous two presidential races. Van Epps, a military veteran with nine tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, secured the Republican nomination in a competitive primary, bolstered by Trumps endorsement. Behn concentrated her campaign on affordability and local quality-of-life issues.

Author: Sophia Brooks