The competitive battle for a Republican-held House seat in Tennessee is heating up as Election Day approaches in just a week. Both parties are significantly investing in the race.
Republican advocacy groups are allocating millions to advertisements for the special election on December 2 in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. They want to avert a potential upset and maintain their slim majority in the House, which currently stands at 219-213.
In last year’s presidential election, President Donald Trump had a substantial 22-point lead in this predominantly Republican district that spans from Kentucky to Alabama and encompasses parts of Nashville.
On the other hand, the Democratic Party, energized by recent victories across the country in pivotal elections, is also throwing considerable funds into this campaign.
John Greer, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University, remarked on the high stakes involved, especially with the upcoming 2025 election. He expressed concern that this typically secure district might swing Democratic.
In the race, Republican candidate Matt Van Epps is up against Democratic candidate Aftin Behn, who aims to take the place of former Republican Congressman Mark Green, who left his position in June for a private sector role.
Democrats are emphasizing affordability throughout their campaigns this fall, and Behn, a rising progressive figure and state lawmaker referred to by some as “Tennessee’s AOC,” is following suit. In her campaign’s closing advertisement, she questions voters about their worries over food prices and healthcare costs, urging them to “shake up Washington” on December 2.
Behn strategically positions herself as a candidate ready to keep Trump’s party accountable in Congress. Although Democrats recognize their path to victory is narrow, Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin, who campaigned with Behn, expressed confidence in her chances.
Van Epps, a veteran and former secretary of the Tennessee Department of General Services, highlights his military experience while also addressing the cost of living. In one of his ads, a narrator calls him “a true American hero” and Van Epps discusses his intent to lower prices and create jobs.
Meanwhile, both candidates are actively running ads, alongside financial support from super PACs and other groups. Notable among them are MAGA, aligned with Trump, and Club for Growth, a significant entity of fiscal conservatives, each funding multiple advertisements in the race.
Club for Growth president David McIntosh expressed his belief in Van Epps’s alignment with Tennessee values, asserting he will win the election.
Also supporting Behn are some less recognized pro-Democratic groups, including the House Majority PAC, which recently pledged $1 million to the campaign.
This past week, Republicans have scrutinized Behn over statements she made during a podcast in 2020, where she expressed dislike for Nashville’s culture and attractions. This contrasting sentiment has been seized upon by the Republican National Committee.
The 7th Congressional District, while solidly Republican, includes parts of Nashville—known for being a Democratic stronghold and a key city in the country music industry.
Amid the rising tensions, Behn’s past opinions have also resurfaced, including a controversial op-ed from 2019 that criticized the state and its legislature.
Behn’s campaign team has pushed back against the Republican attacks, asserting a surge in early voting among first-time and infrequent voters indicates strong support, despite increasing criticism from opposing parties.
However, Greer cautions that special elections during non-election years often see lower turnout numbers, suggesting that early voting figures may reflect this trend. He acknowledges a potential closeness in the race, given the financial commitments from both sides.
