Republican Matt Van Epps Secures Victory in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District Special Election
Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District held a special election on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, resulting in a victory for Republican candidate Matt Van Epps, who defeated Democratic challenger Aftyn Behn. This race was held to fill the vacancy left by former Republican Representative Mark Green, who resigned in July 2025 to pursue a private sector position.
Matt Van Epps, former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, won the Republican primary in October 2025, securing 51.56% of the vote, and carried twelve out of fourteen counties in the district. His general election victory in November followed an in-person early voting period held from November 12 to November 26.
The special election was tightly contested, reflecting the district’s political dynamics. Tennessee’s 7th District, a region that President Trump won in 2024 by a 22-point margin, saw a closer race as Van Epps prevailed over Behn with strong Republican support across most counties.
The Associated Press officially projected Van Epps as the winner on election night, signaling Republican retention of the seat. This outcome reinforces the GOP’s standing in Tennessee, despite significant campaign efforts by Democratic opponents, who invested millions in the race.
Van Epps’s victory was welcomed by Republican leaders, underscoring continued GOP strength in the state. The late Mark Green’s resignation came after his support for the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” and his departure set the stage for this contested election.
The campaign highlighted several local and national issues, but ultimately the electorate favored Van Epps’ approach to governance, continuing the Republican representation in this congressional seat.
Matt Van Epps is expected to be sworn in soon and will serve the remainder of the term for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, joining fellow Tennessee Republicans including U.S. Representatives Tim Burchett and Andy Ogles.
This election serves as a barometer for Tennessee’s political landscape as the state moves closer to the 2026 midterm elections, reflecting persistent Republican influence in the region.