Republican Matt Van Epps is the projected winner of the carefully watched particular election for Tennessee’s U.S. Home seat for the seventh congressional district, based on the Related Press.
With 86% of the vote counted shortly after 9:30 p.m., Van Epps was main Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn, 52.4% to 46.5% in a district President Donald Trump gained by 22 factors within the 2024 election.
Van Epps’ win comes after a whirlwind last weeks of campaigning in a closer-than-expected race that became a nationwide battleground.
Republican U.S Congressional candidate for the seventh district Matt Van Epps speaks to supporters throughout a rally Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Franklin, Tenn.
John Amis/AP
Political heavyweights from Trump and Home Speaker Mike Johnson to former Democratic Vice Presidents Kamala Harris and Al Gore campaigned for his or her respective candidates, as each events poured hundreds of thousands of outdoor {dollars} into the race — with Republicans outspending Democrats.
The all-out battle over the seat illuminates simply how necessary either side of the aisle are viewing each alternative to realize benefit within the Home, as Republicans search to maintain their razor-thin majority forward of the 2026 midterms.
Behn, the Democratic candidate, got here inside putting distance of her Republican opponent in a deep-red district, as Democrats intention to border the over-performance — which follows final month’s Democratic victories in governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey — as a referendum on Trump’s second time period and proof of an oncoming “blue wave” in 2026.
FILE – Democratic congressional candidate State Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, attends a marketing campaign occasion throughout the particular election for the seventh district, Nov. 13, 2025, Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker Iv/AP
The predominately rural seventh congressional district stretches from Tennessee’s northern border with Kentucky to its southern border with Arkansas, and contains components of liberal Nashville.
The particular election was known as to fill the vacant seat as soon as held by the now-former Rep. Mark Inexperienced, a Republican who resigned in July.
Van Epps’ victory Tuesday follows uncertainty surrounding what voter turnout would appear like on Election Day, as voting patterns are sometimes unpredictable in particular elections — particularly one which follows Thanksgiving weekend.
Because the projected winner of the particular election, Van Epps’ tenure is shortened — he must run for the seat once more in subsequent yr’s midterms.
In a CNN interview earlier than the AP known as the race, Behn mentioned her marketing campaign over-performed expectation and left the door open to operating once more subsequent yr for the seat in 2026.
The GOP victory in Tennessee tonight will make it simpler for Johnson to push Trump’s legislative agenda by way of the Home.
Van Epps’ win will add yet another seat to Republicans’ present 219 seats within the Home, placing them at 220 as soon as he’s sworn in.
Democrats have 213 seats.
Nonetheless, Johnson can be set to lose a Republican vote in January when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation takes impact.
This can be a growing story. Please verify again for updates.
