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, avoiding a Democratic upset in a closer-than-expected race.
With 99% of the votes counted, Van Epps led Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn by approximately 9 percentage points (53.9% to 45%) according to AP. President Donald Trump won the district by 22 points in the 2024 election.
In a victory speech to supporters Tuesday night, Van Epps praised Trump, saying his endorsement “made a difference” and attempted to pour cold water on panic within his own party that, despite his victory, Democrats’ narrow margins may predict vulnerabilities for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections.
This combo image shows Aftyn Behn, left, Nov. 13, 2025, Nashville, Tennessee, and Matt Van Epps, Nov. 12, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.
George Walker IV/AP
“Tonight we showed that running away from Trump is how you lose,” Van Epps said. “Running with Trump is how you win. Our victory was fueled by President Trump’s supporters who turned out to vote.
In a social media post, Trump congratulated Van Epps on her “BIG WIN in Congress” and called it “another great night for the Republican Party!!!”
Behn, the Democratic nominee, came within striking distance of her Republican opponent in a deeply red district, as Democrats sought 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.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 2: Republican Representative-elect Matt Van Epps delivers his victory speech at the Millennium Hotel Maxwell House Nashville on December 2, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Tennessee’s 7th District elected Republican Matt Van Epps in a special election to fill a House seat left vacant by the resignation of Republican Mark Green earlier this year. Van Epps ran against Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Tuesday’s election capped a whirlwind final weeks of campaigning in an expectedly tight race that became a national battleground.
On the campaign trail, 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, and Republicans outspent Democrats.
The all-out battle for the seat illuminates how important it is for both sides of the aisle to see every opportunity to gain an advantage in the House, as Republicans look to maintain their narrow majority ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
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 came after uncertainty over 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 projected winner of the special election, Van Epps’ first term will be shortened: He will have to run for the seat again in next year’s midterm elections.
Democratic candidate State Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, speaks to supporters at a watch party after losing a special election for the 7th U.S. Congressional District, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.
George Walker IV/AP
Despite the defeat, Democrats seized on the results as evidence of their momentum.
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.
Speaking to supporters Tuesday night, Behn said, “This is not the end of our story. It’s not even close,” Behn said. “Because what we’ve built here in this district, this grassroots movement, is part of something bigger that’s happening across the South and across this country.”
He added: “We may not have won tonight, but we changed the story of what’s possible here, and we’re not done, not by a long shot.”
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin celebrated Democrats’ performance in Tuesday’s race, attributing it to a focus on food and housing costs.
“What happened tonight in Tennessee makes it clear: Democrats are on the offensive and Republicans are on the ropes,” Martin said. “Aftyn Behn’s superior performance in this Trump +22 district is historic and a flashing warning sign for Republicans heading into the midterm elections. Aftyn focused her campaign on reducing food, housing and health care costs for Tennessee families.
In the House, the GOP’s 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.
