Tennessee Special Election: GOP Hangs On as Van Epps Beats Behn

Polls have closed and ballots have been counted in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District — a high-stakes special election that drew national attention amid shifting political winds. The race pitted Matt Van Epps, the Republican nominee, against Democrat Aftyn Behn, with control of the seat — and a thin Republican majority in the United States House of Representatives — hanging in the balance.

Van Epps emerged victorious, earning approximately 53.9% of the vote to Behn’s 45.1%. While the Republican Party retains the seat vacated earlier this year by Mark Green, the tight margin reveals a surprising shift in voter sentiment in a district long regarded as a GOP stronghold.

The special election took place on December 2, 2025, following Green’s resignation in July. What began as a routine contest swiftly transformed into a referendum on broader national issues — especially economic concerns. Polls in the lead-up to the vote showed a close race: an recent survey by Emerson College Polling and The Hill registered support at 48% for Van Epps, 46% for Behn, with undecided voters making the difference.

Behn ran on a platform centered on affordability, health care costs and economic fairness — messages that resonated especially with younger voters and in more urbanized parts of the district, including areas of Nashville, Tennessee. Meanwhile, Van Epps leaned heavily on his conservative credentials — emphasising strong national defense, fiscal conservatism, and alignment with GOP leadership.

The turnout pattern also offered clues: early voters reportedly leaned more toward Behn, while those voting on Election Day skewed toward Van Epps. This dynamic suggested a generational and urban-rural divide — a potential warning signal for Republicans long used to comfortable margins.

Despite the loss, Democrats are hailing Behn’s performance as a strategic win in itself — proof that “safe” Republican seats may no longer be immune from competitive pressure. For Republicans, the narrow victory is at once a relief and an alarm bell: the once-deep red haven showed cracks, just as both parties gear up for the 2026 midterms.

Now, as Van Epps prepares to represent the district until 2027, political watchers are asking: was this special election an outlier, or the first sign of a shifting electorate in Tennessee and other “safe” districts across the country? The answer could shape campaign strategies in the year ahead — and perhaps reshape the balance of power in Washington.

Watch video below :