Republican Matt Van Epps is the projected winner of the closely watched special election for Tennessee’s U.S. House seat for the 7th congressional district, according to the Associated Press.
With 86% of the vote counted shortly after 9:30 p.m., Van Epps was leading Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn, 52.4% to 46.5% in a district President Donald Trump won by 22 points in the 2024 election.
Van Epps’ win comes after a whirlwind final weeks of campaigning in a closer-than-expected race that turned into a national battleground.
Republican U.S Congressional candidate for the seventh district Matt Van Epps speaks to supporters during a rally Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Franklin, Tenn.
John Amis/AP
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 — with Republicans outspending Democrats.
The all-out battle over the seat illuminates just how important both sides of the aisle are viewing every opportunity to gain advantage in the House, as Republicans seek to keep their razor-thin majority ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Behn, the Democratic candidate, came within striking distance of her Republican opponent in a deep-red district, as Democrats aim to frame the over-performance — which follows last month’s Democratic victories in governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey — as a referendum on Trump’s second term and evidence of an oncoming “blue wave” in 2026.
FILE – Democratic congressional candidate State Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, attends a campaign event during the special election for the seventh district, Nov. 13, 2025, Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker Iv/AP
The predominately 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 the now-former Rep. Mark Green, a Republican who resigned in July.
Van Epps’ victory Tuesday follows uncertainty surrounding what voter turnout would look like on Election Day, as voting patterns are typically unpredictable in special elections — especially one that follows Thanksgiving weekend.
As the projected winner of the special election, Van Epps’ tenure is shortened — he will have to run for the seat again in next year’s midterms.
In a CNN interview before the AP called the race, Behn said her campaign over-performed expectation and left the door open to running again next year for the seat in 2026.
The GOP victory in Tennessee tonight will make it easier for Johnson to push Trump’s legislative agenda through the House.
Van Epps’ win will add one more seat to Republicans’ current 219 seats in the House, putting them at 220 once he’s sworn in.
Democrats have 213 seats.
However, Johnson is also set to lose a Republican vote in January when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation takes effect.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
