Trump's SHOCKING Phone Call: What He Revealed Before Tennessee's Critical Election!

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) — An unexpected political drama unfolded in Tennessee on Monday, as a congressional seat long considered a Republican stronghold became the center of a fierce electoral battle. House Speaker Mike Johnson rallied for Republican candidate Matt Van Epps, while notable Democrats, including former Vice President Al Gore and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, expressed optimism about a potential upset. This special election, taking place on Tuesday, is seen as a critical test for both parties, with President Donald Trump personally urging voters to back Van Epps.

“The whole world is watching Tennessee right now, and they’re watching your district,” Trump said, appearing via speakerphone at a rally in Franklin, where he encouraged supporters to view the election as a demonstration of Republican strength. This was his second virtual rally for Van Epps, who previously served as an Army helicopter pilot and state general services commissioner. The stakes are particularly high for Republicans, who are eager to recover from recent losses nationwide, while Democrats seek a strong performance to gain momentum for the upcoming midterm elections.

Van Epps is up against Democrat candidate Jodie Behn, a Nashville-based social worker and progressive community organizer, who has garnered support from key Democratic figures. During her campaign stops, she was energized by endorsements from Gore and Ocasio-Cortez, who noted the election's potential significance in a district that recently leaned heavily Republican. Gore pointed out the struggles many residents face with rising costs for essentials like groceries and health care, criticizing Trump's administration as “by far, the most corrupt in history.” He emphasized that the political landscape is shifting faster than ever in Tennessee.

Ocasio-Cortez echoed this sentiment, suggesting that “anything can happen” in the race, which has been characterized by some as a chance for a “miraculous” transformation of the political scene in Tennessee. Behn has been likened to Ocasio-Cortez, which Republicans have leveraged to paint her as too progressive for the district. Johnson expressed confidence, stating, “That is not going to happen,” as he works to maintain a slim Republican majority in the House.

Concerns about voter turnout have emerged, particularly due to the timing of early voting, which coincided with Thanksgiving week. Despite this, Van Epps received support from prominent Republican figures, including national chairman Joe Gruters, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, and Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty. “I think that Matt’s going to be OK,” Hagerty commented, emphasizing the need for a significant victory to send a clear message about Republican resolve in Tennessee.

The redrawn 7th Congressional District, which now includes only 20% of Nashville’s registered voters, went to former GOP Rep. Mark Green by a 21-point margin last year. Trump also won the district by a similar margin, making the current contest particularly interesting. Behn has criticized Trump’s tariffs and tax cuts, policies that Van Epps supports, while Republicans have targeted her past remarks in campaign advertisements, including her descriptions of Nashville as a city she “hates” and her self-identification as a “radical.”

In response, Behn has focused her message on addressing cost-of-living issues. “The barrage of negative attacks is a result of the fact that they don’t have a plan to address the rising cost of health care,” she stated during a campaign event. Voter sentiments vary significantly; supporters like Jalen Smalls prioritize basic needs such as school funding and healthcare, while others, like John Rowenczak, express concerns about the nation moving too far left, citing illegal immigration as a primary issue. “I feel like Trump is doing a good job, and that’s kind of the way we need to go,” he remarked.

Financial support for both candidates has been substantial, with the House Majority PAC investing $1 million in Behn’s campaign, while Van Epps has benefited from over $1 million in backing from the pro-Trump MAGA Inc. super PAC. As the election draws near, Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries suggested that Republicans may already face defeat, noting the extraordinary amount of money being spent to retain a seat that Trump previously won by 22 points. With enthusiasm from both sides, the race for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District is shaping up to be one to watch closely.