What to watch for in Tennessee’s special election today
Update: Associated Press projects Republican Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn in the race for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. Read more here.
Washington— Voters head to the polls Tuesday in central Tennessee for the final election showdown of 2025 in a race that could be a referendum on President Trump.
Republican candidate Matt Van Epps, a combat veteran, and Democrat Aftyn Behn, a Tennessee state representative, are running for the seat in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District to replace former GOP Rep. Mark Green, who resigned in July. Green had represented the district since 2019, which stretches from parts of Nashville to the state’s borders with Kentucky and Alabama and includes many rural counties. He won his last race by over 20 points.
Although the election was normally seen as a safe victory for Republicans, polls showed a closer-than-expected race in the Volunteer State. single digit race. Meanwhile, as millions of dollars pour in from foreign spending, senior figures from both parties have surprised the candidates in recent days.
Still, a Democratic victory in the deep-red Tennessee district would be an uphill climb. But viewers will be watching to see if the race comes down to a single-digit margin, a possible harbinger of what will happen in next year’s election.
An indicator for midterms
As Democrats tout recent victories, the outcome of Tuesday’s special election will surely be seen as an indicator of what will happen in next year’s midterm elections.
Conventional political wisdom dictates that the party that controls the White House often loses ground in midterm elections. And the Tennessee special election follows Democrats’ overperformance in September’s special election. sweep The party cited key races in November’s election as evidence of a changing trend among voters after it hurt the 2024 election for the party.
In last month’s races, Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill easily won the gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, while democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral race in New York City.
Given the dynamics in Tennessee, even a narrow loss in Tuesday’s special election could be seen as increasing Democrats’ momentum heading into the midterm elections.
A special election of national interest
Tuesday’s special election drew national attention, with millions of dollars in outside spending as well as visits and phone calls from senior members of both parties who have flocked to the area in recent days to support the candidates.
House Speaker Mike Johnson endorsed Van Epps in the district on Monday, framing the race as a contrast between the GOP “keeping our promises” and Democrats pushing their own “radical” agenda.
At one point, Johnson called a “friend” who turned out to be the president. “We have to win this seat,” Mr. Trump told the crowd.
“Let’s make this a sweeping victory. The whole world is watching Tennessee right now and watching your district,” Mr. Trump said. “This is a big vote, it should show something and show that the Republican party is stronger than ever.”
Former Vice President Al Gore and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents Tennessee in Congress, were among Democrats who spoke at a phone rally on behalf of Behn on Monday. “Bipartisan and independent voters realized, by massive landslides, that they were sick and tired of Trump’s madness and tyranny,” Gore said during the November election.
“So it’s no wonder the President is panicking about tomorrow’s election in Tennessee,” Gore said. “The stage is set, and I believe Tennesseans are determined to take back civility, self-respect, and common sense from the most corrupt and dangerous president in American history.”
Florida charter school company run by GOP figure disappoints parents: ‘They dropped the ball’
Key Tennessee special election underway between Republican Matt Van Epps and Democrat Aftyn Behn
