Special Election in Tennessee’s Republican District
Franklin, Tennessee – Joe Gruters, the Chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), expressed confidence that the Democratic energy seen after last month’s substantial victory would not carry over into a critical special election for a Republican-held House seat in Tennessee.
“Tennessee is a red wall; they won’t break through here. We’re definitely winning this race,” Gruters told Fox News Digital following a rally for Republican candidate Matt Van Epps, emphasizing the stakes for the party.
Van Epps is competing against Democrat Aftin Behn to fill the position left vacant by former Republican Representative Mark Green, who stepped down in June for a private sector job.
President Donald Trump previously secured a 22-point lead in this district during the last presidential election, and Green won his previous elections by over 20 points in 2022 and 2024.
Despite this history, the Democrats appear invigorated as polls show a tight race between Van Epps and Behn, which could be an early indicator for the upcoming midterm elections when Republicans will need to defend a slim House majority.
“This area is entirely different from Nashville,” Gruters pointed out, also noting recent Democratic wins in states like New Jersey and Virginia.
“From our voter registration to party influence, this is our base. We’ll bounce back and prepare for the 2026 midterms,” Gruters predicted.
Both parties have heavily invested in the campaign, with outside groups pouring millions into advertisements. On the eve of the election, Gruters and House Speaker Mike Johnson joined Van Epps in multiple campaign events.
Johnson stated, “We should expect to win this seat, but we can’t take anything for granted.” He underscored the unique nature of special elections in solidly Republican areas, where voter complacency can be risky.
He encouraged all supporters to show up at the polls, especially those who might not vote when Trump isn’t on the ballot. In a rally introduction, Johnson managed to get Trump on the phone for a brief address to the crowd.
During this call, Trump emphasized the significance of the election, saying, “The entire world is watching Tennessee right now. This is an important vote.” He urged for a decisive victory.
High-profile Republican figures, including Governor Bill Lee and Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, rallied support for Van Epps. He himself, a military veteran backed by Trump, expressed optimism for a decisive win.
The RNC has nearly spent half a million dollars on Van Epps’ campaign, working closely with the Tennessee Republican Party to reach voters through various efforts.
In contrast, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has made substantial investments in Behn’s campaign as well. The DNC Chairman campaigned with her just before the election.
A DNC spokesperson suggested that if Republicans set such high expectations, they may be facing a significant shift in congressional control soon.
Behn, a progressive state lawmaker, believes the race is closer than some expect. “This race has become a real contest,” she said during a recent rally, arguing that Republicans are not as secure as they seem.
She also received endorsements from prominent progressive figures, including Congressman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, strengthening her campaign’s appeal.
However, Van Epps critiqued Behn, claiming she does not align with Tennessee’s values, describing her as a far-left extremist. “We will continue to reject that ideology,” he affirmed.
Behn faced scrutiny for past controversial statements about Nashville and its culture, as well as for an op-ed that generically criticized the state legislature. She shrugged off the Republican attacks, asserting her commitment to addressing rising costs for Tennesseans.
Should Behn pull off a surprising victory, it might significantly jeopardize the Republican majority in the House ahead of the midterms next year. Republicans are already feeling the pressure from recent resignations within their ranks.
As the election approaches, attention isn’t solely on Tennessee, with other high-stakes elections also drawing national interest.
In a notable context, former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey seeks to re-enter politics, facing stiff competition from younger candidates in his bid to become mayor of Jersey City, highlighting the shifting dynamics in various political landscapes across the nation.
