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, averting a Democratic upset in a closer-than-expected race.
With 99% of the vote counted, Van Epps led Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn by about 9 percentage points — 53.9% to 45% — according to the AP. President Donald Trump won the district by 22 points in the 2024 election.
In a victory speech to supporters on Tuesday night, Van Epps praised Trump saying his endorsement “made all the difference,” and attempted to throw cold water on panic within his own party that despite his win, Democrats’ close margins may predict vulnerabilities for Republicans ahead of the midterms.
This combination image shows Aftyn Behn, left, Nov. 13, 2025, Nashville, Tenn. and Matt Van Epps, Nov. 12, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker Iv/AP
“Tonight, we showed running from Trump is how you lose,” Van Epps said. “Running with Trump is how you win. Our victory was powered by supporters of President Trump turning out to vote.
In a social media post, Trump congratulated Van Epps on his “BIG congressional WIN” and called it “another great night for the Republican Party!!!”
Behn, the Democratic candidate, came within striking distance of her Republican opponent in a deep-red district, as Democrats aimed 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.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 2: Rep. elect Republican Matt Van Epps delivers his victory speech at the Millennium Hotel Maxwell House Nashville on December 2, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Tennessee’s 7th district elected Republican Matt Van Epps in a special election to fill a House of Representatives seat vacated by the resignation of Republican Mark Green earlier this year. Van Epps ran against Democratic nominee Aftyn Behn. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
The election Tuesday capped a whirlwind final weeks of campaigning in a closer-than-expected race that turned into a national battleground.
On the campaign trail, 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 view every opportunity to gain advantage in the House, as Republicans seek to keep their razor-thin majority ahead of the 2026 midterms.
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 followed 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’ first term will be shortened — he will have to run for the seat again in next year’s midterms.
Democratic candidate State Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, speaks to supporters at a watch party after losing a special election for the U.S. seventh congressional district, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker Iv/AP
Despite the loss, Democrats seized on the results as evidence of their momentum.
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.
Speaking to supporters Tuesday night, Behn said: “This isn’t the end of our story. It’s not even close,” Behn said. “Because what we have built here in this district, this grassroots movement, is part of something bigger that is happening across the South, and is happening across this country.”
She added, “We may not have won tonight, but we changed the story of what’s possible here, and we’re not done, not by a long shot.”
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin celebrated the Democrats’ showing in Tuesday’s race, crediting it to a focus on grocery and housing costs.
“What happened tonight in Tennessee makes it clear: Democrats are on offense and Republicans are on the ropes,” Martin said. “Aftyn Behn’s overperformance in this Trump +22 district is historic and a flashing warning sign for Republicans heading into the midterms. Aftyn centered her campaign on lowering grocery, housing, and health care costs for Tennessee families.
In the House, 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.
