Republicans will hold onto Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District despite a push by Democrats to flip the deep-red seat, the Associated Press projected Tuesday, as Republican candidate Matt Van Epps is on track to defeat Democrat Aftyn Behn.
Tuesday’s special election, held after the resignation of Republican Rep. Mark Green, drew nationwide attention and was widely viewed as a referendum on President Trump. The president endorsed Van Epps during the primaries, participated in a phone rally for the GOP candidate on the eve of the election and congratulated him on Tuesday evening.
Green won in the district — which includes parts of Nashville and its suburbs, rural areas and part of the Fort Campbell military base — by a decisive 21 points last year. Van Epps, a combat veteran, appeared to be on track to fall somewhat short of that margin.
Republicans entered Election Day hoping to scuttle Democratic claims that even red districts are now in play as Trump struggles with low approval ratings and persistent economic dissatisfaction. The party is also fighting to defend its single-digit majority in the House.
Democrats won by wide margins in New Jersey, Virginia and elsewhere last month, and they hoped that a strong showing in Tennessee — or even a narrow loss — could further embolden the party ahead of midterm elections next November. Democrats were also buoyed by polls that showed a closer-than-expected race, including one that showed a low-single-digit contest.
Outside money poured into the district, with at least $8 million spent on the race, a CBS News analysis found. The Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. spent more than $1.6 million backing Van Epps, and Behn drew close to $1 million in support from the Democratic-focused House Majority PAC.
Van Epps has tied himself closely to Mr. Trump, who called the race a “big deal” during a phone rally Monday that also featured remarks from House Speaker Mike Johnson. In a victory speech Tuesday, Van Epps said: “Running from Trump is how you lose. Running with Trump is how you win.”
Meanwhile, Democratic national party chair Ken Martin visited to campaign for Behn, and former Vice President Kamala Harris participated in a canvassing kickoff while in Nashville on a book tour. Former Vice President Al Gore and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez headlined a virtual rally for her Monday.
Behn focused her campaign on fiery criticisms of Trump administration economic policies that she said prioritize wealthy people and corporations, including Mr. Trump’s tariffs and budget and spending law, both of which Van Epps supports.
But Republicans created a steady drumbeat of Behn’s own words used against her in television advertising, such as when she described herself as a “radical” and made harsh remarks about Nashville and its tourist draws.
