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.
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.
. 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 
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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! 
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. 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 
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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 
! 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 
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. 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 
. 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 
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. 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 
. 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 
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 
!
. 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 
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. 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 
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