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Republican victory in Tennessee special election
Republican Matt Van Epps has secured a congressional seat in Tennessee's 7th District, according to projections by U.S. media outlets, following a closely watched race that served as an early indicator for next year's midterm elections.
Narrower win raises questions for GOP
With nearly all votes counted, Van Epps leads Democrat Aftyn Behn by approximately nine percentage points-a significant drop from the 22-point margin Republicans achieved in the same district during the 2024 presidential election. The result ensures the GOP retains its slim majority in the House of Representatives but signals potential vulnerabilities ahead of the 2026 midterms.
"It was dangerous. We could have lost this district because the people who showed up, many of them are the ones motivated by how much they dislike President Trump,"
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), in an interview with Fox News
Cruz warned that the 2026 elections would hinge on voter turnout, suggesting that Democratic opposition to former President Donald Trump could drive higher participation on the left. "Hate is a powerful motivator," he added.
A test of Trump's influence
The special election drew national attention as a barometer of Trump's enduring appeal within the Republican Party. The 7th District, which stretches from Alabama to Kentucky and includes parts of Nashville, has not elected a Democrat in over four decades. The seat became vacant after Republican Congressman Mark Green resigned in July to enter the private sector.
Both parties poured millions into the race, with high-profile figures campaigning on the ground. Former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris and Al Gore stumped for Behn, while House Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump rallied behind Van Epps. Trump hosted a virtual event for Van Epps, who framed his candidacy as a direct extension of the former president's agenda.
Reactions and implications
Following his victory, Van Epps declared that the result proved "running from Trump is how you lose, running with Trump is how you win." Trump congratulated Van Epps on social media, claiming Democrats "threw everything at him, including millions of dollars."
House Speaker Johnson also celebrated the win, writing on X that he looked forward to collaborating with Van Epps to advance "lower costs, a secure border, and our America First agenda."
Behn, who lost in every county except Davidson County-home to Nashville-acknowledged the defeat but called the race "the beginning of something powerful." She noted that few in Washington expected her campaign to come as close as it did.
"Republicans went all out to keep this seat. This is a very, very bad sign for them heading into the midterms,"
Ian Russell, Democratic strategist and Behn campaign consultant, speaking to the BBC
Some Republicans privately expressed concern. An unnamed House aide told Politico the result was "too close," while another GOP lawmaker warned that the party's success in 2026 would depend on unity and strategic leadership from Trump administration officials-neither of which they deemed guaranteed.
Background on the candidates
Van Epps, a military veteran with nine tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, won a competitive primary where loyalty to Trump emerged as a defining issue. A last-minute endorsement from the former president helped secure his nomination.
Behn, meanwhile, centered her campaign on local economic concerns and quality-of-life issues, avoiding broader national debates. Despite the loss, her performance in a historically Republican district has fueled speculation about Democratic momentum in traditionally conservative areas.
Tennessee's political landscape
Tennessee remains solidly Republican territory. Trump carried the state with 64% of the vote in 2024 and exceeded 60% in the two previous presidential elections. However, the narrower margin in this special election has prompted both parties to reassess their strategies for the upcoming midterms.
