Tennessee’s Special Election Sends Shockwaves Through a Deep-Red District
So, let me walk you through what’s happening in Tennessee right now, because this special election has turned into something much bigger than anyone expected. Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, which is normally considered a rock-solid conservative seat, has suddenly become the center of national attention. And honestly, it’s been fascinating to see how quickly the political energy around this race has shifted.
The contest features Democrat Aftyn Behn and Republican Matt Van Epps, who has the backing of former President Donald Trump. They’re both running to replace former Rep. Mark Green, who stepped down over the summer. Now, under normal circumstances, this district wouldn’t even be on the radar for Democrats — Green won it by nearly 22 points last year. But the mood is different this time. Democrats have been consistently outperforming expectations in special elections all year, and their recent wins in places like New York City, New Jersey, and Virginia have given them a real boost of confidence.
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Both candidates in Tennessee have zeroed in on affordability, which has become the dominating theme of the campaign. Behn has leaned heavily into cost-of-living issues, even using a mechanical bull in one of her ads to symbolize how “hardworking Tennesseans are getting a rough ride.” Van Epps, a former Army helicopter pilot and state official, has tried to claim the same issue, warning that Democrats would raise taxes and make costs worse.
Republicans, recognizing that this race might be much tighter than they’re comfortable with, have rushed in at full force. Trump called into Van Epps’ events, and House Speaker Mike Johnson actually flew in to campaign with him. Johnson even admitted that deep-red districts sometimes become complacent, which can lead to unexpected results. And given how fragile the GOP’s House majority has already become — with resignations, deaths, and more vacancies on the way — every single seat truly matters.
But the campaign hasn’t been without drama. Van Epps and his allies have attacked Behn over past comments, labeling her a “radical disaster.” They’ve highlighted old remarks where she called herself “very radical,” criticized Nashville, and voiced support for defunding the police. Behn has pushed back, saying those comments were made before she entered the legislature and that her focus now is on driving down costs, not pushing ideology. She also clarified that her frustrations with Nashville were directed at the city’s tourism overload, not the community itself.
The attention on this race has pulled in major Democratic figures as well — from Kamala Harris to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and even Al Gore, who said he’s never seen political tides shift this quickly in Tennessee.
With more than $5 million already poured into advertising and both parties treating this like a mini-referendum ahead of the midterms, Tuesday’s special election has become far more than a local race. It’s a test of momentum, messaging, and how deeply voters are feeling the pressure of affordability. And regardless of who wins, this district has already shown that political assumptions can shift fast — sometimes faster than anyone sees coming.
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