Election Commentary in Tennessee’s 7th District

During a recent show, Matt Van Epps, the Republican candidate for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, criticized his opponent, Democratic state Rep. Aftin Behn. He asserted that Behn has made derogatory comments about Christians and has even filmed himself confronting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

A special election is currently taking place, and Van Epps emphasized the stark contrasts between himself and Behn, whom he describes as a radical leftist.

“I’m a Christian, a husband, a father, an America First conservative, and a military veteran,” Van Epps stated, mentioning his service in Iraq and Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot. He expressed pride in Nashville and its role as an economic engine for Tennessee, while noting that Behn has not retracted her remarks about disliking the city.

“Nashville is a fantastic city. Yes, it has its issues, but I truly love living here,” he continued. “My opponent, however, seems to support tax increases to back socialist policies, which align with the Democratic Socialists of America. Those proposed policies will just raise our cost of living,” he elaborated.

Host Mike Slater highlighted a video showing a Democrat yelling at people on the Capitol balcony and being taken away by police.

“There’s this clip where she storms into the governor’s office, only to be restrained by police. She ends up on the ground, screaming,” Slater remarked, suggesting a disconnect between her actions and her narrative of empowerment.

Van Epps responded to Slater’s observations, expressing disbelief at the situation. “The only way to address this chaos is through voting,” he urged, calling for action from Republicans.

“I seek freedom-loving Americans who stand against socialist ideas. My opponent, while serving as a state representative, filmed himself bullying ICE and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. To me, that’s unacceptable and disqualifying,” he added, after mentioning Behn’s sentiment of hatred towards Christianity.

“Honestly, it just doesn’t make sense. It shows how out of touch she is—not only with the residents of our congressional district but with Tennesseans and Americans in general,” Van Epps emphasized.

“I’m dedicated to serving my community as a Christian husband and father. My parents came from very humble beginnings; my mom was very poor, and my dad grew up lower middle class before being drafted into Vietnam,” he shared, reflecting on his family’s journey and the hard work that propelled them into the middle class.

“Both my brother and I graduated from West Point thanks to our parents’ sacrifices. Providing better opportunities for our kids embodies the American dream, and I’m committed to fighting for that every day,” the Republican candidate concluded.