Trump-backed Republican Matt Van Epps wins US House special election in Tennessee
Carson Baddeley and other supporters gather for an election night watch party for Republican candidate Matt Van Epps who is running in a special election for U.S. seventh congressional district seat, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican Matt Van Epps secured a high-profile victory in Tennessee’s special election for the U.S. House on Tuesday, keeping his party in control of the 7th Congressional District with strong support from President Donald Trump.
A military veteran and former state general services commissioner from Nashville, Van Epps defeated Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn to claim the seat.
In a victory statement, Van Epps pledged full alignment with Trump in Congress.
“Running from Trump is how you lose. Running with Trump is how you win,” Van Epps said. “Our victory was powered by a movement of Tennesseans ready for change. We are grateful to the President for his unwavering support that catapulted us to victory.”
Trump congratulated Van Epps on social media, noting: “The Radical Left Democrats threw everything at him, including Millions of Dollars. Another great night for the Republican Party!!!”
Democrats expressed pride in their performance despite the loss.
“Tonight’s results make it clear: No House Republican’s reelection should be considered safe next November,” said CJ Warnke, communications director for the House Majority PAC.
Van Epps’ campaign received more than $1 million in support from MAGA Inc., marking the super PAC’s first expenditure on a campaign since last year’s presidential race—highlighting the election’s national significance.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP chair Joe Gruters campaigned in Tennessee on Monday, while Trump addressed a local crowd by phone and later held a second tele-rally for Van Epps.
Republicans aimed to counter Democratic momentum in what has been seen as a test of Trump’s influence amid low approval ratings and economic dissatisfaction. Democrats had recently won key races in New Jersey, Virginia, and other states, and a strong showing in Tennessee could have further energized their base ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Behn told MS NOW that her campaign had seen encouraging signs despite the outcome. “The momentum has been on our side. We are overperforming in places where we need to be, and losing less in other places,” she said Tuesday evening.
The 7th District, redrawn by Republican lawmakers in 2022, includes 14 counties but only about one-fifth of its voters live in liberal-leaning Nashville—a move designed to limit Democratic wins. Republican Mark Green, who retired this summer, had won the seat by 21 points in 2024, when Trump carried the district by a similar margin.
Early voting concluded the day before Thanksgiving, with Election Day the following Tuesday, creating an unusual voting schedule.
The House Majority PAC spent $1 million supporting Behn. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin campaigned in the district, while former Vice President Kamala Harris helped launch canvassing efforts during a Nashville book tour. Former Vice President Al Gore and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hosted a virtual rally for Behn on Monday.
Van Epps sought to closely align with Trump throughout the campaign, telling the president during a November tele-rally, “I will have your back 100%.” He had previously won a crowded primary by a wide margin, aided by a late Trump endorsement.
Behn focused on criticizing economic policies she said favor wealthy individuals and corporations, including Trump’s tariffs and budget priorities. Republicans countered with ads highlighting her own controversial statements, including calling herself a “radical” and making critical remarks about Nashville.
Trump supporter Anthony Bordonaro, 37, cited both policy alignment and Behn’s comments about Nashville as reasons for voting for Van Epps. “I just didn’t really like what I was hearing about the other candidate not liking Nashville,” he said.
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Republican U.S Congressional candidate for the seventh district Matt Van Epps addresses the media as he stands next to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson during a rally Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Franklin, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
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