Matt Van Epps Sworn into House, Strengthening Republican Majority

Tennessee Republican Matt Van Epps took his oath of office on the House floor Thursday morning, administered by Speaker Mike Johnson. This event bolsters the Republicans’ thin majority in the chamber.

Just under two days after winning a competitive special election for a seat previously held by a Republican in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, Van Epps’ victory was crucial for the party as it seeks to maintain its House majority in the upcoming midterm elections.

Addressing the House, he emphasized his commitment to working with President Trump and his fellow Republicans, asserting his dedication to the “America First” agenda.

With Van Epps now officially in office, the House stands at 220 Republicans to 213 Democrats. However, this number may drop to 219 if Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has had a falling out with Trump, chooses to resign.

Currently, two seats occupied by Democrats remain vacant. A special election to fill the seat of the late Texas Democratic Congressman Sylvester Turner, who passed away in March, is scheduled for January 31.

The recent resignation of former Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, following her gubernatorial win, also opens a new seat that will be contested in a special election set for April.

In this special election, Van Epps triumphed over Democratic challenger Aftin Behn, succeeding former Republican Rep. Mark Greene, who left Congress in June to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

This district, noted for its strong Republican leanings, saw Trump leading by 22 points in the recent presidential election. Greene himself secured reelection by over 20 points in both 2022 and 2024.

But Democrats, motivated by their recent successes, are eager to overturn this seat, with a rush of financial support flooding in from both sides to intensify the race.

Van Epps won by a margin of approximately 9 percentage points, aided by a high voter turnout even amidst the busy holiday season. Speaker Johnson had campaigned vigorously for him before the election, underscoring the importance of every single seat in the House.

“You can’t take anything for granted. Since I became Speaker, I’ve managed some of the smallest majorities in history. Every seat counts,” Johnson expressed in an interview.

He also highlighted the peculiar nature of special elections, stating that in a predominately Republican district like this one, complacency can lead to surprises.