Republican Matt Van Epps Wins Tennessee Special Election

Republican Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, securing the seat for the GOP. The Associated Press projected Van Epps's victory with 53.9% of the vote against Behn's 45.1%. This special election followed Republican Mark Green's resignation, drawing national attention and seen as a test of political sentiment. Early voting saw over 43,000 ballots cast, indicating high voter interest in the race. Van Epps, endorsed by Trump, will represent 14 Middle Tennessee counties, including part of Nashville. The win helps Republicans maintain their narrow House majority, though the close margin signals potential challenges. The district is heavily Republican, having voted for Trump by a significant margin. The GOP invested heavily in a last-minute get-out-the-vote effort to secure the victory. Van Epps campaigned on a Trump-aligned platform, promising to address key issues.