In a highly contested election, Republicans have successfully retained a congressional seat in Tennessee, according to projections from various US media.
On Tuesday, Matt Van Epps emerged victorious in the race for the Tennessee 7th Congressional District, defeating Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn, as reported by the Associated Press.
While Trump previously claimed this district with a 22% margin during the 2024 presidential election, recent polls suggested a tighter competition this time.
This election serves as an early indicator of the political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with a focus on the size of the Republican victory.
Initial reports suggest that Van Epps won the seat with a significantly lower margin than Trump’s overwhelming lead in 2024.
Should the Republicans have lost this seat, it would have been a major setback, especially given their delicate hold on the House of Representatives. It could have signified a decline in Trump’s clout.
The seat covers a region extending from Alabama to Kentucky, including parts of Nashville.
Remarkably, a Democrat hasn’t won this seat in over 40 years.
The vacancy arose after Republican Congressman Mark Green stepped down in July to pursue opportunities in the private sector.
To boost their respective candidates, both parties poured millions into the campaign.
Notable figures from both parties, including former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris, Al Gore, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, campaigned in the state.
Van Epps aligned himself closely with Trump, who even held a virtual rally in support of him. On social media, Trump praised Van Epps for countering substantial Democratic support, saying, “the Radical Left Democrats threw everything at him, including Millions of Dollars.”
Behn’s campaign only found success in Davidson County, home to Nashville.
Ian Russell, a Democratic strategist working with Behn’s campaign, pointed out that Trump’s extensive financial backing was necessary to secure this seat, remarking, “Republicans went all out to keep this seat. This is a very, very bad sign for them heading into the midterms.”
In Tennessee, which remains solidly pro-Trump, he won with 64% of the vote last year and surpassed 60% in the previous two presidential elections.
Van Epps, a military veteran with nine tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, ran in a competitive primary where demonstrating loyalty to Trump was essential. His campaign received a last-minute endorsement from the former president, which proved crucial in his success.
Conversely, Behn primarily addressed themes related to affordability and quality of life in her campaign.
