Trump energizes Tennessee GOP with speakerphone call ahead of US House special election

FRANKLIN, Tenn. President Donald Trump and leading Republicans made a final effort Monday to avoid a setback in a highly competitive Tennessee congressional special election, while Democrats brought in former Vice President Al Gore and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to support their candidate.

The flurry of prominent political figures comes as Trump seeks to recover from recent GOP defeats nationwide, with Tennessee voters set to choose the next representative for the reliably conservative 7th Congressional District on Tuesday. Democrats aim for a strong performance that could energize them for next year's midterms, which will determine control of the House of Representatives.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, working to protect his partys slim majority, connected with Trump during a rally for Republican candidate Matt Van Epps. Holding a phone to the microphone, Johnson relayed Trumps encouragement to the crowd gathered in a decorated garage on a supporters farm in Franklin, urging them to deliver a decisive victory.

The whole world is watching Tennessee, and your district, Trump said, emphasizing the votes significance and asserting that it would showcase the strength of the Republican Party. Joining Van Epps were Republican Party Chair Joe Gruters, Governor Bill Lee, and Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty. Van Epps, a former Army helicopter pilot and state general services commissioner, faces Democratic state Representative Aftyn Behn.

Republicans have voiced concerns about voter turnout, as early voting coincided with Thanksgiving week and Election Day follows the holiday weekend. Trump previously held a virtual rally with Van Epps in November and scheduled another call for later Monday.

Behn, a progressive community organizer from Nashville who describes herself as an angry social worker, maintained a busy campaign schedule, including a planned online rally with Gore, a Tennessee native, and Ocasio-Cortez from New York. State Democrats have nicknamed Behn the AOC of Tennessee, a label Republicans use to paint her as too left-leaning for the district, though Behn has highlighted it as evidence of her broad support.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris visited Nashville last month during a book tour to rally voters, and Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin also made campaign stops in the district.

The 7th District, reshaped in 2022 to reduce Nashvilles influence, has only about 20% of registered voters living in the city, a Democratic stronghold. In the previous election, former GOP Rep. Mark Green and Trump both carried the district by roughly 21-point margins. Behn has criticized Trumps tariffs and tax cuts, which Van Epps supports.

Republicans have targeted Behns own statements in campaign ads, focusing on her self-description as radical and claims of confronting immigration agents and state police. Past remarks about disliking Nashville have also been used against her. Behn generally redirects such criticism to issues like the rising cost of living, emphasizing her goal to make Nashville a thriving city for working people despite frustrations with some tourist activities.

The barrage of attacks is because they have no plan for healthcare costs, Behn said at a campaign stop Monday. Supporters like Jalen Smalls highlighted the need for basic services such as school funding, child nutrition, hospitals, and roads as their primary concerns.

Meanwhile, John Rowenczak cited concerns about increasing liberal policies and illegal immigration, supporting Van Epps to continue the Trump agenda locally.

Financial backing for the race is significant: the House Majority PAC has invested $1 million to support Behn, while Van Epps has received over $1 million from the Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. super PAC. Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the race unexpectedly tight, remarking on the unusual effort Republicans are making to defend a district Trump won comfortably in 2020.

Reporting from Nashville, Tennessee.

Author’s Analysis: Stakes High in Tennessee Special Election

The Tennessee 7th Congressional District race has drawn an unusual level of national attention, reflecting broader political tensions ahead of the 2026 midterms. Republicans, led by former President Trump, are making a concentrated effort to secure a district they have traditionally held comfortably. The involvement of figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson and multiple GOP senators signals the party’s concern about turnout and potential vulnerabilities.

On the Democratic side, the campaign of Aftyn Behn has attracted high-profile support, including former Vice President Al Gore and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The strategy appears focused on energizing progressive voters and challenging the Republican narrative, despite the district’s conservative tilt. Significant outside spending by both parties underscores the competitiveness and perceived importance of the race.

Demographic shifts and the district’s 2022 redistricting, which reduced Nashville’s influence, remain critical factors. Analysts note that while past elections showed strong GOP margins, Behn’s emphasis on local issues—healthcare, education, and cost of living—may resonate with voters who feel overlooked. The outcome could serve as an early indicator of national trends, particularly for Democratic energy and Republican resilience.

Ultimately, the election will test both parties’ ability to mobilize supporters in a post-holiday voting period. Republicans aim to demonstrate continued dominance in the district, while Democrats are attempting to signal momentum and broader appeal. The results will likely be scrutinized for insights into voter sentiment ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

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• Trump rallies Tennessee GOP by speakerphone on eve of US House special election