Tennessee Special Election: Democrats Seek Upset Over Republicans

Tennessee's Special Election Heats Up as Democrat Aftyn Behn Seeks to Dethrone Republican Matt Van Epps in a Congressional Seat Long Held by the GOP.

As polling stations prepare to close, voters are poised to make their voices heard in a high-stakes special election for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District. Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn is making a last-ditch effort to upset Republican incumbent Matt Van Epps and potentially alter the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.

The seat has long been a stronghold for Republicans, with President Donald Trump winning it handily in the 2024 presidential election. However, following the resignation of Rep. Mark Green in July, Democrats see an opportunity to flip the district. Behn, a state lawmaker from Tennessee, has garnered significant support from her party and has received over $1 million from the House Majority PAC.

Van Epps, on the other hand, boasts significant backing from Trump, having been endorsed by the former president in October. He has also secured funding from MAGA Inc., a super PAC aligned with Trump's agenda, which has contributed more than $1 million to his campaign.

The campaign has taken a heated turn, with both candidates citing affordability as a key concern for voters. Van Epps has positioned himself as a champion of the president and speaker, while Behn has highlighted her efforts to make healthcare and groceries more affordable through her work in the state legislature.

In a recent interview with CNN, Behn defended her stance on issues, stating that advocating for greater affordability is not radical but rather a pragmatic approach to improving the lives of Tennesseans. Van Epps, meanwhile, has targeted Behn's past comments, which some interpret as being out of step with mainstream Democratic values.

As polling stations close at 8 p.m. EST, voters will be weighing in on this critical special election. With the stakes high and both candidates passionate about their causes, the outcome is far from certain.

So it looks like Behn's message is resonating with people . Her focus on affordability is definitely a key issue for many voters. I think what's interesting is how Van Epps is trying to tie her past comments to his own agenda, but it might not be the most effective tactic . The fact that both candidates are pushing affordability as a top priority suggests that there's more going on in Tennessee than just party lines. It'll be fascinating to see how this plays out at the polls .

I'm tellin' ya, folks... there's somethin' fishy goin' on here. Aftyn Behn's gettin' all this support from this House Majority PAC, but what's really behind it? Is it just a coincidence that they're pumpin' in $1 million or is there some kinda deeper game at play? And don't even get me started on Matt Van Epps and his Trump endorsement... is he doin' the former president's bidding or is this just good ol' fashioned politics as usual? I mean, we all know that in politics, appearances can be deceivin', so I'm keepin' my eyes peeled for anythin' shady happenin' behind the scenes. This special election is shapin' up to be a real nail-biter, and I'm not just talkin' about the candidates... there's more at stake than that!

I'm curious to see how this plays out. It's been a while since Democrats have made a serious push for the 7th Congressional District. Aftyn Behn's efforts to make healthcare and groceries more affordable are definitely relatable for many voters, especially in Tennessee where costs of living can be pretty high .

I'm not sure how much of an impact Trump's endorsement will have on Van Epps' campaign, but it's clear that both candidates are passionate about their positions. Behn might have a leg up if she can convince more people that her pragmatic approach is the right way forward for Tennessee .

It'll be interesting to see how this all shakes out once the results come in. It's always exciting (and sometimes surprising) when voters make their voices heard in special elections

think people get caught up in the heat of it all & forget to look at the bigger picture . affordability is a huge issue, but what about the future of our planet? climate change is real & we need leaders who are gonna take action . don't wanna be stuck with a rep who's just repping trump's agenda .

man this special election is like a cliffhanger, you know? Aftyn Behn is trying to take down Matt Van Epps and it's gonna be super close because they both got some serious cash backing . I think it's interesting how affordable healthcare and groceries are being the big issue here. Like, we all need access to basic necessities right? It'll be crazy if Behn actually pulls this off, would be a major upset for the GOP

I'm low-key hyped for this special election ! It's like, finally some real change in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District. Aftyn Behn is bringing a fresh perspective to the table, and her focus on affordability is so on point . I mean, who doesn't want to make healthcare and groceries more affordable? It's not radical, it's just basic human decency .

Matt Van Epps, on the other hand, is just regurgitating Trump's rhetoric and hoping it sticks . Newsflash: it won't work in 2025! People are over that noise. Behn's been doing her thing in the state legislature, making real changes happen, whereas Van Epps has just been coasting on his last name .

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a Democratic win . It'll be huge for the party and could potentially flip some seats in the House. Either way, I hope it's clear that this election is about more than just party affiliation - it's about what's best for Tennessee's people .

So there's this big election happening in Tennessee where someone named Aftyn Behn is trying to take down a Republican dude Matt Van Epps. I'm not really sure what's going on but it sounds like they're fighting over some pretty important stuff. Like, who's gonna make healthcare and groceries more affordable? It seems like both of them want that, but in different ways.

I'm curious about this Aftyn Behn person - she's a state lawmaker or something? And she's gotten a lot of support from the Democrats. But then Matt Van Epps has got some big-name backing too, like Donald Trump! That's wild. I just hope whoever wins is gonna be good for Tennessee.

I'm keepin' an eye on this one! As someone who's all about self-care and wellness, I think it's awesome that Aftyn Behn is bringin' up affordability as a key issue. We need more people in Congress who understand the importance of takin' care of our mental health (and our wallets ) for real. Matt Van Epps might have some big-name endorsements goin' for him, but I think Behn's grassroots approach is gonna pay off. Let's see how it all plays out!

omg I'm low-key rooting for Aftyn Behn to upset Matt Van Epps ! like, I know Tennessee has been a GOP stronghold for ages, but this is a major opportunity for Democrats to make some noise . Van Epps's ties to Trump are definitely a major factor in his campaign, but Behn's got the grassroots support and the House Majority PAC backing her up . affordability is such a crucial issue right now, especially with healthcare and groceries on the line . I think it's rad that Behn's framing her stance as a pragmatic approach to improving lives, rather than being radical . Can't wait to see how this special election plays out!

just wondering if affording groceries shouldn't be a basic human right lol?

this is crazy ... i mean, i've been following this election closely and it's anyone's game at this point . aftyn behn is really bringing her A-game, you know? she's got that fire in her belly to make a change . matt van epps is trying to hold on to that seat but it's getting harder by the minute . affordable healthcare and groceries should be a no-brainer for anyone, imo . we'll have to wait and see what happens when the votes are counted . fingers crossed for a surprise outcome

gotta wonder what's gonna happen here. one side's all about sticking to the status quo, while the other's like "hey, let's make some changes". behn seems legit tho, she's got the state thing down and stuff, but van epps is low-key scaring people with that trump endorsement still can't believe trump's still out there making a dent in politics. anyway, it's gonna be interesting to see how this all plays out

omg I'm so hyped for this special election in Tennessee!! It's amazing to see Aftyn Behn putting in all that effort to make healthcare and groceries more affordable for Tennesseans - that's like, literally a game-changer ! And I love how she's being super pragmatic about it, you know? Not some radical left-wing thingy, just trying to do what's best for her state . Meanwhile Matt Van Epps is just kinda...meh, endorsing Trump and all that jazz...I mean, I get it, but I'm not sure if that's gonna cut it with Tennesseans who are looking for some real change . Either way, can't wait to see what happens at 8 p.m. EST !

I'm kinda surprised by how much attention's being given to this congressional seat. I mean, it's not like there aren't more pressing issues going on in Tennessee right now . But hey, politics is all about timing and opportunity, so if Behn can capitalize on the Republicans' weakness after Rep. Green's resignation, she might just have a shot .

The thing that's got me thinking, though, is how beholden both candidates are to Trump's base. It feels like they're running campaigns as much for Trump as for Tennessee voters . I wish we could see some more independence from the president in this election... it'd be refreshing to hear from a candidate who's not just reading from a script .

Still, if Behn can win over enough moderates and independents with her pragmatic approach, she might just pull off an upset . The affordability issue is real for a lot of folks in Tennessee, so I think that could be a winning message for her... but we'll have to wait and see how it all plays out