Trump-Backed Republican Matt Van Epps Wins US House Special Election in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 2: House of Representative-elect Republican Matt Van Epps delivers his victory speech as wife Meg Van Epps looks on at the Millennium Hotel Maxwell House Nashville on December 2, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Tennessee’s 7th district elected Republican Matt Van Epps in a special election to fill a House of Representatives seat vacated by the resignation of Republican Mark Green earlier this year. Van Epps defeated Democratic nominee Aftyn Behn. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican Matt Van Epps has won a special election in Tennessee for a seat in the U.S. House. Van Epps was backed by President Donald Trump. He defeated Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn to keep the 7th Congressional District in the GOP column. But the comparatively slim margin of victory fueled Democratic hopes for next year’s midterm elections. The special election followed Republican Rep. Mark Green’s resignation this summer. The race saw a surge in spending, with Van Epps receiving over $1 million from the Trump-backing super PAC MAGA Inc. The House Majority PAC supported Behn with $1 million.