Republican Matt Van Epps is the projected winner of the carefully watched particular election for Tennessee’s U.S. Home seat for the seventh congressional district, in response to the Related 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 share factors — 53.9% to 45% — in response to the AP. President Donald Trump gained the district by 22 factors within the 2024 election.
In a victory speech to supporters on Tuesday evening, Van Epps praised Trump saying his endorsement “made all of the distinction,” and tried to throw chilly water on panic inside his personal occasion that regardless of his win, Democrats’ shut margins could predict vulnerabilities for Republicans forward of the midterms.
This mix picture reveals Aftyn Behn, left, Nov. 13, 2025, Nashville, Tenn. and Matt Van Epps, Nov. 12, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker Iv/AP
“Tonight, we confirmed working from Trump is the way you lose,” Van Epps stated. “Working with Trump is the way you win. Our victory was powered by supporters of President Trump turning out to vote.
In a social media put up, Trump congratulated Van Epps on his “BIG congressional WIN” and known as it “one other nice evening for the Republican Occasion!!!”
Behn, the Democratic candidate, got here inside placing distance of her Republican opponent in a deep-red district, as Democrats aimed to border the over-performance — which follows final month’s Democratic victories in governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey — as a referendum on Trump’s second time period and proof of an oncoming “blue wave” in 2026.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 2: Rep. elect Republican Matt Van Epps delivers his victory speech on the Millennium Lodge Maxwell Home Nashville on December 2, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Tennessee’s seventh district elected Republican Matt Van Epps in a particular election to fill a Home of Representatives seat vacated by the resignation of Republican Mark Inexperienced earlier this yr. Van Epps ran towards Democratic nominee Aftyn Behn. (Photograph by Brett Carlsen/Getty Pictures)
Brett Carlsen/Getty Pictures
The election Tuesday capped a whirlwind closing weeks of campaigning in a closer-than-expected race that became a nationwide battleground.
On the marketing campaign path, political heavyweights from Trump and Home Speaker Mike Johnson to former Democratic Vice Presidents Kamala Harris and Al Gore campaigned for his or her respective candidates, as each events poured thousands and thousands of outdoor {dollars} into the race — with Republicans outspending Democrats.
The all-out battle over the seat illuminates simply how vital either side of the aisle view each alternative to achieve benefit within the Home, as Republicans search to maintain their razor-thin majority forward of the 2026 midterms.
The predominately rural seventh congressional district stretches from Tennessee’s northern border with Kentucky to its southern border with Arkansas, and contains elements of liberal Nashville.
The particular election was known as to fill the vacant seat as soon as held by the now-former Rep. Mark Inexperienced, a Republican who resigned in July.
Van Epps’ victory Tuesday adopted uncertainty surrounding what voter turnout would seem like on Election Day, as voting patterns are usually unpredictable in particular elections — particularly one which follows Thanksgiving weekend.
Because the projected winner of the particular election, Van Epps’ first time period will likely be shortened — he should run for the seat once more in subsequent yr’s midterms.
Democratic candidate State Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, speaks to supporters at a watch occasion after shedding a particular election for the U.S. seventh congressional district, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker Iv/AP
Regardless of the loss, Democrats seized on the outcomes as proof of their momentum.
In a CNN interview earlier than the AP known as the race, Behn stated her marketing campaign over-performed expectation and left the door open to working once more subsequent yr for the seat in 2026.
Chatting with supporters Tuesday evening, Behn stated: “This is not the top of our story. It isn’t even shut,” Behn stated. “As a result of what we now have constructed right here on this district, this grassroots motion, is a part of one thing larger that’s occurring throughout the South, and is occurring throughout this nation.”
She added, “We could not have gained tonight, however we modified the story of what is attainable right here, and we’re not achieved, not by a protracted shot.”
Democratic Nationwide Committee Chair Ken Martin celebrated the Democrats’ exhibiting in Tuesday’s race, crediting it to a deal with grocery and housing prices.
“What occurred tonight in Tennessee makes it clear: Democrats are on offense and Republicans are on the ropes,” Martin stated. “Aftyn Behn’s overperformance on this Trump +22 district is historic and a flashing warning signal for Republicans heading into the midterms. Aftyn centered her marketing campaign on reducing grocery, housing, and well being care prices for Tennessee households.
Within the Home, the GOP victory in Tennessee tonight will make it simpler for Johnson to push Trump’s legislative agenda via the Home.
Van Epps’ win will add yet one more seat to Republicans’ present 219 seats within the Home, placing them at 220 as soon as he is sworn in.
Democrats have 213 seats.
Nevertheless, Johnson can also be set to lose a Republican vote in January when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation takes impact.
