Aftin Behn, a Democratic candidate for an upcoming special election in Tennessee, is in the spotlight due to a 2019 incident in which he was forcibly ejected during a sit-in at Governor Bill Lee’s office. At that time, Behn was acting as a political organizer.
This particular event took place before Behn secured a special election victory in 2023, which allowed him to represent the state’s 51st District. Prior to his position in the Tennessee General Assembly, Behn’s background involved working with several far-left activist organizations, such as Indivisible and Enough Is Enough Tennessee. He also collaborated with the Tennessee Justice Center, a group that co-hosted the protests dubbed “No Kings.”
During his work with Enough Is Enough, an organization aiming to hold Tennessee legislators accountable for allegations of sexual misconduct, Behn participated in a protest at Governor Lee’s office. The incident garnered attention when video footage showcased him being chased and pulled from the office after attempting to enter. Reportedly, the protest aimed to pressure Governor Lee into calling for the resignation of a state lawmaker accused of sexual assault—though he had not faced charges.
In the footage, Behn can be seen crying while being forcibly removed, which stirred public reaction. The second day of the sit-in was marked by a dramatic moment where Behn was seen lying on the floor, visibly upset, holding onto a blanket and pillow.
The Republican National Committee’s Delaney Bomer weighed in, asserting that Behn’s past remarks revealed a disdain for Nashville, suggesting that such views render him unsuitable for public office. As the special election approaches, Behn faces criticism based on his radical history.
One notable attack references comments Behn made during a podcast, where he expressed feelings of “hatred” for Nashville—the very city he aspires to represent. Additionally, his previous calls for dismantling police stations and defending instances of riots have further fueled criticism.
When confronted about these comments over the weekend, Behn sidestepped the question multiple times, asserting that the interpretations of his remarks were taken out of context and stemmed from an unfounded fear the Republican opposition faces from him.
In an interview, he humorously stated, “I don’t hate country music,” attributing inspiration for his comments to a George Strait concert. Behn claimed that an extensive document he had filled out was being unfairly highlighted to mischaracterize his views, and he insisted he had been dedicated to improving the city and state for the past decade.
However, questions regarding his commitment to working-class issues linger, especially given his voting history against measures like tax cuts for small businesses. For instance, state lawmakers recently rejected a significant tax relief bill for Tennessee small businesses, which could have provided substantial savings.
In addition to opposing the so-called “big, beautiful bill” that extended tax cuts from the Trump administration, Behn also voted against a statewide budget that would have bolstered the state’s emergency fund—essentially a cushion against raising taxes during economic downturns. This would have benefited various crucial services, including volunteer fire departments and public safety funds.
