In a special congressional election, Republican Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn, Tennessee's 'Ocasio-Cortez.'
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Republican Matt Van Epps won the special election for Tennessee's District 7, defeating Democrat Aftyn Behn in a race that had drawn national attention for its competitiveness and the current narrow majority in the House of Representatives.
With 99% of the votes counted, Van Epps led by 8.9 points, consolidating a broadly strategic victory for the Republican Party at the close of 2025.
Van Epps, a former Army helicopter pilot and candidate backed by President Donald Trump, achieved victory even though the margin was lower than Trump's in the district during the presidential election, when he led by 22 points.
El presidente Trump celebró la victoria de Van Epps a través de redes sociales
The race tightened in the final stretch, following a particular poll that showed the Republican with just a two-point lead, which prompted a strong mobilization of national GOP leaders.
Trump celebrated the victory through Truth Social, calling it an important achievement for his party and highlighting that Democrats had invested large sums in an attempt to compete in the area.
During his victory speech, Van Epps stated that the result demonstrated continued support for the president's agenda and assured that his work in Congress will align with those priorities.
Behn, a 36-year-old state legislator, managed to gain an advantage in Davidson County, where Nashville is located, but that vote was not enough to offset the overwhelming Republican support in the rural counties that make up most of the district.
La candidata demócrata fue catalogada como la ''Ocasio-Cortez'' de Tennessee
Once Van Epps takes his seat, Republicans will temporarily have 220 members compared to Democrats' 213, while two vacancies in Democratic districts are preparing for special elections at the beginning of 2026. The expected departure of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene in January has also increased the relevance of each race.
Van Epps's campaign received considerable financial support, including about $1.7 million from Make America Great Again Inc., a group aligned with Trump, which allocated nearly half of the amount to digital advertising. This was the committee's first significant investment since the previous presidential election, reflecting the district's strategic importance for the party.
Behn also received national backing. The House Majority PAC allocated one million dollars to her campaign and figures such as the prominent DemocratsKamala Harris, Al Gore, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez participated in support activities.
Varias figuras fracasadas demócratas brindaron su apoyo a Behn
However, she was unable to overcome the criticism stemming from past comments that resurfaced during the campaign, including claims that she "hated country music," elements that some voters said they considered when deciding their vote.
For Republicans in Tennessee, the victory is a sign of stability in a traditionally conservative district and a brake on the Democratic narrative that even safe territories could become competitive after the party's recent victories in other states.
