Republican Matt Van Epps is the projected winner of the closely watched special election for Tennessee’s House seat for the 7th Congressional District, according to the Associated Press.
With 86% of the votes counted shortly after 9:30 p.m., Van Epps was leading Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn, 52.4% to 46.5% in a district that President Donald Trump won by 22 points in the 2024 election.
Van Epps’ victory comes after a whirlwind final weeks of the campaign in an expectedly close race that became a national battleground.
Republican 7th District U.S. Congressional candidate Matt Van Epps speaks to supporters during a rally Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Franklin, Tennessee.
John Amis/AP
Political heavyweights, from Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson to former Democratic vice presidents Kamala Harris and Al Gore, campaigned for their respective candidates, as both parties poured millions of outside dollars into the race, with Republicans outspending Democrats.
The all-out battle for the seat illuminates how important it is for both sides of the aisle to take advantage of every opportunity to gain an advantage in the House, as Republicans look to maintain their narrow majority ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Behn, the Democratic candidate, came within striking distance of her Republican opponent in a deeply red district, as Democrats seek to frame the overperformance, which follows last month’s Democratic victories in gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, as a referendum on Trump’s second term and evidence of a “blue wave” looming in 2026.
FILE – Democratic congressional candidate State Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, attends a campaign event during the special election for the 7th District, Nov. 13, 2025, Nashville, Tennessee.
George Walker IV/AP
The predominantly rural 7th Congressional District stretches from Tennessee’s northern border with Kentucky to its southern border with Arkansas, and includes parts of liberal Nashville.
The special election was called to fill the vacant seat once held by now-former Rep. Mark Green, a Republican who resigned in July.
Van Epps’ victory on Tuesday follows uncertainty around what voter turnout would look like on Election Day, as voting patterns are often unpredictable in special elections, especially one that follows the Thanksgiving weekend.
As the predicted winner of the special election, Van Epps’ term is shortened: He will have to run for the seat again in next year’s midterm elections.
In a CNN interview before the AP called the race, Behn said his campaign exceeded expectations and left the door open to run again next year for the seat in 2026.
The GOP victory in Tennessee tonight will make it easier for Johnson to push Trump’s legislative agenda through the House.
Van Epps’ victory will add one more seat to Republicans’ current 219 seats in the House, putting them at 220 once he is sworn in.
Democrats have 213 seats.
However, Johnson will also lose the Republican vote in January when Resignation of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene comes into force.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
