Trump-backed Matt Van Epps holds TN-7 seat in special election, defeating Aftyn Behn in key GOP test
Republican Matt Van Epps won Tennessee’s 7th congressional district special election on December 2, 2025, defeating Democrat Aftyn Behn with 53.9% of the vote and holding the seat vacated by Rep. Mark Green.
Key takeaways
- Winner: Republican Matt Van Epps, 53.9% (96,988 votes) (Source).
- Runner-up: Democrat Aftyn Behn, 45.0% (81,044 votes) (Source).
- Margin: 8.9 percentage points, keeping the seat in Republican hands (Source).
Main report
A decisive win in a closely watched race
The special election in Tennessee’s 7th district was an early litmus test for national momentum heading into 2026. Van Epps defeated Aftyn Behn on Dec. 2, finishing with 53.9% to Behn’s 45.0% — an 8.9-point margin. (Source).
The district mixes suburbs and rural counties. Van Epps carried 12 of 14 counties in the GOP primary and held enough in the general election to build a comfortable lead. Behn narrowed gaps in population centers and outperformed prior Democratic levels, but fell short of flipping the seat. (Source).
“A narrower-than-usual margin could signal suburban openings for Democrats, while the GOP’s hold underscores continued strength in parts of Tennessee.”
How the candidates got here
The seat opened when Republican Rep. Mark Green resigned on July 20, 2025 to pursue a private sector job, prompting the special election to fill the remainder of the 119th Congress (through Jan. 3, 2027). Candidate filings closed Oct. 7, 2025, with primaries that same day. (Source).
Republican primary
Matt Van Epps, former Tennessee Department of General Services commissioner (2024–2025), won the Republican primary with 51.56% (19,006 votes), defeating state Rep. Jody Barrett (25.33%). Van Epps drew support from outside groups including the Club for Growth and the With Honor Fund and benefited from endorsements tied to former President Donald Trump. He carried 12 of the district’s 14 counties. (Source).
Democratic primary
State Rep. Aftyn Behn won a competitive Democratic primary, narrowly carrying Williamson County and doing well in Montgomery and Davidson counties. She edged out challengers including Darden Copeland, Vincent Dixie, and Bo Mitchell, setting up a general election where Democrats aimed to show suburban gains. (Source).
Campaign dynamics and spending
The general election was a high-dollar contest. Van Epps raised approximately $992,716, while Behn raised about $1,230,629, reflecting strong Democratic investment despite the district’s Republican tilt. Outside groups and PACs also poured money into advertising and outreach. (Source).
Polling and turnout: An Emerson College poll (Nov. 22–24) showed Van Epps 48% vs. Behn 46% with ~5% undecided. Early in-person voting (Nov. 12–26) helped shape turnout patterns that favored Republicans across much of the district. The final result widened the snapshot gap, with Van Epps finishing near 54%. (Source).
Vote totals and comparisons
Final tallies: Van Epps — 96,988 votes; Behn — 81,044 votes. Democrats improved their share compared with 2024; Behn overperformed prior Democratic results by roughly 6.95 percentage points, providing a silver lining for Democrats despite the loss. (Source).
Why Tennessee’s 7th mattered
Special elections like TN-7 serve as early tests of political energy, turnout, and messaging. A narrower margin signals potential suburban openings for Democrats nationally, while the GOP’s ability to hold the seat demonstrated continued appeal on issues such as the economy and immigration in local contests. (Source).
What the result says about voter trends
Takeaways: Republican turnout and organization remain strong, especially outside population centers. Yet Behn’s performance in suburbs suggests Democrats can compete when they field compelling candidates and sustain fundraising and ground games. Both parties must tailor messages to diverse voters — from small-business owners to suburban parents. (Source).
Implications for the Inland Empire, California
Political and donor organizations in the Inland Empire can draw several practical lessons from TN-7:
- Fundraising signals: Behn raised more but lost — money helps but doesn’t guarantee victory. Inland Empire campaigns should pair funds with an aggressive, on-the-ground turnout operation. (Source).
- Suburban messaging: Behn’s suburban gains highlight pocketbook issues — cost of living, healthcare, education — that resonate with moderates in suburban communities.
- Volunteer & GOTV strategy: Extended early-vote windows mattered in TN-7; local organizers should build sustained early-vote and absentee outreach programs.
- Nationalization of local races: Outside groups influenced the contest; local leaders must prepare for outside messaging and have rapid response plans.
- Candidate recruitment: Van Epps’ government experience and endorsements underline the value of grooming candidates with public-sector backgrounds.
Reporting and sources
This report compiles official results, fundraising figures, primary outcomes, and timelines. Final vote totals and related election information are recorded at the Wikipedia page for the 2025 TN-7 special election. Local observers and strategists will continue to track whether the patterns from this special election repeat in other 2026 contests. (Source).
Seat note: Van Epps will serve the remainder of the 119th Congress through January 3, 2027. (Source).
