By Blessing Nweke
Republicans will retain control of Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District after a fiercely contested special election, according to projections from the Associated Press and other US media. GOP nominee Matt Van Epps defeated Democratic state lawmaker Aftyn Behn on Tuesday, averting what would have been a major political upset in a district long considered safe Republican territory.
The district, which spans from the Alabama border to Kentucky and includes portions of Nashville, has not elected a Democrat in more than four decades. Former President Donald Trump carried the seat by 22 percentage points in 2024, but recent polling suggested Democrats were closing the gap. Projections now indicate Van Epps’ margin is less than half of Trump’s previous lead, a sign analysts say will be closely scrutinized ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Republicans, who maintain a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, viewed the race as crucial. A loss would have been interpreted as a sharp warning about the party’s standing—and Trump’s influence—as the next election cycle approaches. Both parties poured millions of dollars into the contest, and high-profile figures traveled to Tennessee to rally support, including former Democratic Vice Presidents Kamala Harris and Al Gore, as well as Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Van Epps, a military veteran who served nine tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, anchored his campaign to Trump, who held a virtual rally and endorsed him late in the primary. Trump celebrated the victory on social media, accusing Democrats of spending “Millions of Dollars” to flip the seat.
Behn focused her campaign heavily on affordability and local quality-of-life issues. She carried only Davidson County, home to Nashville. Democratic strategist Ian Russell said the close margin shows Republicans “went all out to keep this seat,” calling the result “a very, very bad sign for them heading into the midterms.”
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