At a recent get-out-the-vote rally in Nashville, Republican congressional candidate Matt Van Epps received a significant boost from Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who connected with former President Donald Trump for a few words of support. "The whole world is watching Tennessee right now, and they're watching the district," Trump stated, emphasizing the national significance of this election.
This isn't the first time Donald Trump has intervened in the race for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District. Just last month, he called into a rally for Van Epps, referring to his Democratic opponent, Aftyn Behn, as the “AOC of Tennessee,” a nod to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent figure in leftist politics. When asked how she felt about Trump's moniker, Behn, who is 36 years old, laughed it off, stating, "You know, she represents a very different district than I do." She added, "But we have been both organizing to make life more affordable for our constituents."
Later that evening, Trump is scheduled to headline another tele-rally for Van Epps, coinciding with a tele-rally for Behn featuring none other than Ocasio-Cortez herself. This special election to fill the seat of outgoing Republican Rep. Mark Green has attracted considerable national attention, with Democrats eager to cast the tightening race as evidence of an impending blue wave in the 2026 midterms.
While this election should theoretically favor any Republican candidate—Trump won the district by a substantial 22 points last year—recent polls indicate that Behn is within striking distance of Van Epps. "Our message of affordability is really resonating across the district," Behn told ABC News. She believes that momentum is on her side, especially following recent Democratic victories in states like Virginia and New Jersey.
However, Tennessee's 7th Congressional District has not elected a Democrat to Congress in over 40 years. Tennessee Republican Party Chair Scott Golden remarked, "The Democrats have some enthusiasm that they think is gonna translate into Tennessee, but, of course, we're still Tennessee. We're still pretty red."
The district is largely rural, stretching from Tennessee's northern border with Kentucky to its southern border with Arkansas. It encompasses parts of liberal Nashville, where national figures such as former Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker Johnson have campaigned for their respective candidates. To counteract the Democratic momentum, Republicans are attempting to portray Behn as too radical for a district that Trump secured with ease.
In a statement to ABC News, Van Epps declared that Tennesseans are "fired up to stop radical Aftyn Behn" on December 2nd. The Van Epps campaign has, however, declined a request for an interview. Behn countered the attacks by asserting that Republicans lack a viable plan to make healthcare more affordable.
Republicans have latched onto Behn's past comments regarding police defunding, specifically her June 2020 request to a Nashville city councilman for a proposal to dissolve the city's police department. "That was a moment in time," Behn explained to ABC News. Both parties have seen an influx of outside funding, amounting to millions, with Republicans significantly outspending Democrats. Golden noted that the tight margins in the House of Representatives have turned this special election into a national battleground.
Behn has also gained attention for her efforts to mobilize young voters in the Nashville area. Trent Benge, president of the Tennessee Young Democrats, mentioned, "A lot of us see it as an opportunity to finally get a seat at the table." However, concerns about Behn's past comments resurfaced, including her 2020 podcast statement expressing disdain for Nashville's popular culture: "I hate the city. I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music."
RaeAnna Morales, a junior at Vanderbilt and member of the Vanderbilt College Republicans, expressed that the upcoming special election has become a major topic on campus. Morales said, "I think Matt Van Epps really reflects a love for Nashville," contrasting her views with Behn's controversial remarks.
As the special election approaches, turnout will be crucial, particularly since it follows the Thanksgiving weekend and is one of the last items on voters' minds. More than 80,000 Tennesseans participated in early voting, with expectations for higher turnout on Election Day. Golden remarked, "We haven't had a special election in the state of Tennessee in over 40 years, so nobody is really sure how many people will be coming out and voting."
With both parties gearing up for a fierce contest in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, all eyes will be on the results as they may set the tone for the upcoming midterm elections in 2026.