You Won’t Believe How Matt Van Epps Shocked Aftyn Behn in Tennessee’s 7th District! What’s Next?

by Sarah Grace Taylor, Nashville Banner
December 2, 2025

In a closely watched special election, Republican Matt Van Epps successfully defended a traditionally Republican seat in Tennessee's 7th District, defeating state Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) by a margin of 53.9% to 45.1%. This election, held Tuesday, came in the wake of the retirement of Congressman Mark Green, who had represented the district since 2019. The contest drew significant attention as Behn's campaign garnered unexpected grassroots and national support.

As the votes were counted—approximately 179,000 by 9:15 p.m.—Van Epps celebrated his victory in a hotel ballroom that was packed with supporters. He expressed gratitude for Green's endorsement, stating, “Your endorsement made the difference, and I will never forget it.” His remarks largely centered around the support of former President Donald Trump, a clear strategy as he emphasized, “Tonight we showed running from Trump is how you lose; running with Trump is how you win.” Notably, Van Epps did not mention Behn in his victory speech.

Despite being favored to win in a district that has consistently leaned Republican, Van Epps faced a formidable challenge from Behn, who managed to shift the district’s political dynamics leftward by about 12 percentage points. This scenario is significant, given that average shifts for Democrats in similar special elections nationwide have been around 18 points this year. For context, in the same district in 2024, Green had defeated Democrat Megan Barry by a substantial 21 points.

Behn's campaign was marked by an impressive fundraising effort, raising $2.8 million, and mobilizing 70,000 doors during canvassing. Her election celebration at Marathon Music Works remained positive despite the loss, with a few dozen supporters chanting her name as she prepared to concede. Sporting bedazzled denim, Behn took the stage singing Dolly Parton's "9 to 5," and told her supporters, “Although tonight is not the final result we wanted, it is the beginning of something so powerful.” She urged the crowd to stay engaged, stating, “Let’s keep going, we’re not done. Not now, not ever.”

State Senator Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) echoed Behn’s sentiments, declaring that the election results signal a potential transformation in Tennessee, urging Republicans to “shake in their boots.” She asserted, “Tonight was not the finish line; it was the starting point.”

The election began with a glimmer of hope for Democrats when early voting results from Montgomery County showed Behn securing 50.8%, a surprising outcome in a predominantly Republican area. Former Montgomery County Democratic Chair Charles Uffelman celebrated as the early returns came in. However, as Election Day progressed, Republican turnout surpassed expectations, and NBC News projected Van Epps as the victor when he led by more than 10,000 votes.

In her post-election interview with CNN, Behn indicated she would consider another run against Van Epps in the future, embodying the persistence of a campaign that has mobilized significant energy among Tennessee Democrats. The low-turnout election, held out of cycle, provided a rare chance for Democrats to spotlight their potential in a challenging political landscape.

This special election's outcome is important for both parties. Republican officials, including Tennessee GOP Chairman Scott Golden, touted Van Epps' victory as a bellwether for the upcoming midterms, countering claims of a “blue wave” attributed to the perceived backlash against Trump. Conversely, Democrats can point to Behn’s performance as a sign of progress and a rallying call for mobilization leading into the 2026 elections.

With over 179,000 voters participating—an improvement over the primary elections but still less than half of Green's previous win—Van Epps will officially take office for the remainder of Green’s term, which concludes in January 2027. The stakes remain high as both parties gear up for the midterm elections, with Van Epps positioned to solidify Republican control while Behn’s campaign may have planted the seeds for future Democratic efforts in a historically red district.