Key Takeaways
- The special election in Tennessee’s 7th U.S. House Congressional District is seen as a crucial test for President Donald Trump and Republicans after recent losses.
- The election has drawn significant spending from both parties, with the Trump-supporting super PAC MAGA Inc. backing Republican candidate Matt Van Epps and the House Majority PAC supporting Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn.
- Democrats are hoping to close the gap in the reliably conservative district, while Republicans are confident they can defend the seat.
- The election has been marked by concerns about turnout due to the timing, with early voting going into Thanksgiving week.
- The candidates have clashed on issues such as cost of living, immigration, and support for President Trump’s policies.
Introduction to the Special Election
The special election in Tennessee’s 7th U.S. House Congressional District is being closely watched as a test of President Donald Trump’s influence and the Republican Party’s ability to hold onto a reliably conservative seat. The election was called after Republican Rep. Mark Green resigned this summer, and it has drawn significant spending from both parties. The Trump-supporting super PAC MAGA Inc. has backed Republican candidate Matt Van Epps with over $1 million, while the House Majority PAC has put $1 million behind Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn. This level of spending reflects the outsize importance of this contest, with both parties seeing it as a bellwether for the upcoming midterm elections.
The Candidates and Their Campaigns
Matt Van Epps, the Republican candidate, has been backed by high-profile Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP chair Joe Gruters, who rallied supporters in Tennessee on Monday. President Trump also addressed the crowd by phone and later held a tele-rally for Van Epps, his second of the general election. Van Epps, a former state general services commissioner from Nashville, has been targeted by Democrats over his support for President Trump’s policies, including his tariffs and tax cut legislation. In response, Van Epps has emphasized his commitment to conservative values and his experience as a former Army helicopter pilot.
Democratic Efforts to Close the Gap
Aftyn Behn, the Democratic candidate, has been supported by national party leaders, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, who participated in a canvassing kickoff while in Nashville on a book tour. Former Vice President Al Gore, a Tennessee native, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also headlined a virtual rally on the election’s eve. Behn, a self-proclaimed "pissed-off social worker," has condemned President Trump’s policies and criticized Republicans’ reluctance to release files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She has also emphasized the need to address cost of living issues and make Nashville a place where working people can thrive. Despite these efforts, Behn has faced criticism over her own words, including comments she made about Nashville years ago, when she said "I hate this city" and complained about bachelorette parties.
The District and Its Voters
The 7th District is one of three seats redrawn in 2022 to erode the influence of Nashville, the state’s largest city and a Democratic stronghold. Only about 1 in 5 of its registered voters are in Nashville, and last year it went to Green by 21 percentage points and to Trump by a similar margin. Democrats say closing the gap would signal that their party has momentum going into next year, while Republicans remain confident that they can defend the seat. However, there are concerns about turnout due to the timing, with early voting going into Thanksgiving week and Election Day the following Tuesday.
Campaign Tactics and Controversies
The campaign has been marked by controversy, with Republicans trying to turn Behn’s own words against her in television advertising. Democrats have also sought to eat away at Van Epps’ base by urging conservatives to back independent candidate Jon Thorp instead. This messaging has come in mailers from Your Community PAC, which has spent more than $16 million supporting Democratic candidates across the country since last year. Despite these tactics, both candidates have remained focused on the key issues, with Van Epps emphasizing his support for President Trump’s policies and Behn highlighting the need to address cost of living issues and protect working people.
Conclusion and Implications
The special election in Tennessee’s 7th U.S. House Congressional District is a crucial test for both parties, with significant implications for the upcoming midterm elections. The outcome will be closely watched as a bellwether for the Republican Party’s ability to hold onto conservative seats and the Democratic Party’s ability to make gains in red districts. Regardless of the outcome, the election has already drawn significant spending and attention from both parties, reflecting the high stakes and the importance of this contest in the broader political landscape. As the results are announced, it will be clear whether the Democrats have been able to close the gap in this reliably conservative district, and what this means for the future of American politics.
