Trump‑backed Matt Van Epps to face Democrat Aftyn Behn in TN‑7 Dec. 2 special election
Trump‑backed Republican Matt Van Epps won a crowded GOP special‑election primary and will face Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn in the Dec. 2, 2025 special election to fill the House seat vacated by Rep. Mark Green. President Trump’s late endorsement—after early voting ended—helped consolidate support (leading rival Lee Reeves to withdraw and back Van Epps), and in the deep‑red, 14‑county 7th District (which Trump carried by about 20 points in 2024) Van Epps is viewed as the favorite; the Associated Press called both nominations.
Elections
Politics
📌 Key Facts
- Matt Van Epps won the crowded GOP special-election primary in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, prevailing from a field of 11 Republican candidates and is positioned as the favorite in the Dec. 2, 2025 special general election.
- Former President Trump endorsed Van Epps after early voting closed; that endorsement was credited with shaping the outcome — Lee Reeves suspended his campaign and urged his supporters to back Van Epps.
- A tele-rally co‑hosted by the Club for Growth took place on the eve of the GOP primary.
- Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn, described as a progressive, won the Democratic nomination and will face Van Epps in the Dec. 2, 2025 special election to fill the seat vacated by Rep. Mark Green (who resigned in June 2025).
- Tennessee's 7th District spans 14 counties and is considered deep‑red; President Trump carried the district by roughly 20 points in the 2024 presidential election, underscoring Behn's underdog status.
- The Associated Press called both the Republican and Democratic races (AP called Van Epps and Behn).
📰 Sources (4)
Democrat Aftyn Behn advances to special election in battle for vacant congressional seat in deep-red district
New information:
- Democrat Aftyn Behn won the Democratic nomination for the Tennessee 7th Congressional District special election.
- The special general election is scheduled for Dec. 2, 2025 to fill the seat vacated by Rep. Mark Green, who resigned in June 2025.
- Contextual political detail: the district is deep‑red—President Trump carried it by roughly 20 points in the 2024 presidential election—underscoring Behn’s underdog status.
Trump-backed Van Epps to face progressive Behn for U.S. House seat in Tennessee
New information:
- Democrat state Rep. Aftyn Behn won the Democratic contest and will face Matt Van Epps in the Dec. 2 special election.
- The Associated Press called both the Republican and Democratic races (AP called Van Epps and Behn).
- Lee Reeves withdrew from the GOP primary after Trump endorsed Van Epps and encouraged his supporters to back Van Epps.
- District 7 spans 14 counties and the Dec. 2 date for the special election is confirmed in the article.
Trump-backed candidate wins crowded GOP primary in battle for vacant House seat
New information:
- Matt Van Epps won the crowded GOP special‑election primary in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District.
- Van Epps prevailed in a field of 11 Republican candidates and is positioned as the favorite in the Dec. 2, 2025 general election to fill the vacant seat of Rep. Mark Green.
- President Trump’s endorsement—issued after early voting closed—was credited with shaping the outcome; Lee Reeves suspended his campaign and backed Van Epps after the endorsement, and a tele‑rally co‑hosted by the Club for Growth occurred on the eve of the primary.