NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Matt Van Epps, a former commissioner in Gov. Invoice Lee’s administration who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, and Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn received their crowded major races Tuesday and can face off in December in a particular election to switch a GOP congressman who left workplace this summer time.
Van Epps clinched victory with the presidential endorsement that got here after in-person early voting ended. Eleven Republicans have been on the poll for the seat vacated by former U.S. Rep. Mark Inexperienced.
In a victory speech, the Republican nominee mentioned the endorsement “made the difference, and I will never forget it.” He pledged to work with Trump on points starting from unlawful immigration enforcement to offering look after veterans.
“In Congress I’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with President Trump to advance our America First agenda,” Van Epps mentioned.
AP Photograph/George Walker IV
Behn, a social employee and neighborhood organizer from Nashville, mentioned her win proved that “authenticity, energy, organizing power consistently outperformed corporate money and poll-tested messaging.”
“Tonight, Tennessee sent a message,” Behn informed a room of supporters. “And that message is: Women still fight. Organizers can still win. And Democrats in the Deep South aren’t done yet.”
AP Photograph/George Walker IV
The Dec. 2 normal election may gauge the recognition of Trump’s aggressive second-term agenda, particularly with suburban Republican voters.
The seat is considered one of three districts that GOP lawmakers drew as safely crimson in 2022 by dividing left-leaning Nashville. Its voters elected Inexperienced by 21 share factors in 2024 and by almost 22 factors in 2022.
Van Epps, who lives in Nashville, leaned into his navy expertise on the marketing campaign path, together with as a Tennessee Military Nationwide Guard lieutenant colonel and as an Military Particular Operations helicopter pilot. Among the many rivals he defeated have been state Reps. Jody Barrett and Gino Bulso.
Trump’s backing adopted Van Epps’ prior endorsements from Gov. Lee, Inexperienced and U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan.
On Tuesday night time the president mentioned in a publish on his social media platform, Fact Social: “Congratulations to Matt Van Epps on his great victory in Tennessee. He will be a GREAT Congressman!!!”
Democrats Attacked Trump Insurance policies
Behn bested fellow state Reps. Bo Mitchell and Vincent Dixie and businessperson Darden Copeland within the Democratic major.
One in every of her focuses has been on girls’s reproductive well being rights, together with as a plaintiff in a lawsuit towards a Tennessee legislation banning adults from serving to minors get an abortion with out parental permission. A decide halted the availability’s enforcement.
She additionally has pushed for the elimination of the state’s tax on groceries by instituting a tax she says would shut loopholes for big companies.
She mentioned Tuesday that individuals are “hungry for something real” and “tired of begging for crumbs and not being allowed at the table.”
On the marketing campaign path, the Democratic candidates attacked the laws Trump dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” along with his tariffs.
District Contains Nashville, Rural Areas, Suburbs
The seventh Congressional District spans 14 counties, bordering each Kentucky and Alabama. Together with components of Nashville, it consists of rural areas, rich suburbs and a part of a navy installment, Fort Campbell.
Exterior teams spent greater than $3.1 million on the race, nearly all on the GOP aspect, with about $1.1 million opposing Barrett.
The Republican contenders praised Trump and expressed staunch opposition to something perceived as liberal or “woke.”
The particular election provided state Home members an attractive probability to run for Congress with out forfeiting their seats or operating simultaneous races.
Of its 9 seats within the U.S. Home, Tennessee presently has one Democrat, Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis. Republican redistricting in 2022 allowed the GOP to flip one other Democratic seat that was drawn to incorporate solely a part of Nashville.
