Tennessee Special Election Results 2025: Republican Matt Van Epps Wins

Nashville, TN – In a closely watched showdown that drew national attention and millions in outside spending, Republican Matt Van Epps emerged victorious in the Tennessee 7th Congressional District special election on December 2, 2025. The race, seen as a bellwether for the 2026 midterms, saw Van Epps defeat Democratic challenger Aftyn Behn by a margin of approximately 9 points, maintaining Republican control of the solidly red district despite Democratic overperformance.

With polls closing at 7 p.m. CT amid chilly temperatures across Middle Tennessee, early results showed Van Epps leading 53.9% to Behn’s 45%, according to projections from NBC News and The Associated Press. The win preserves the GOP’s narrow 219-213 majority in the U.S. House, but Democrats hailed Behn’s showing as a “flashing warning sign” for Republicans heading into next year’s elections.

Background: Why This Tennessee Special Election Mattered
The vacancy in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District arose after Republican Rep. Mark Green resigned in July 2025. Green, a physician, retired Army surgeon, and former Tennessee state senator, stepped down following the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” – a sweeping legislative package that capped his congressional tenure. The district, which stretches from the Kentucky border through parts of Middle and West Tennessee, including suburbs west of Nashville, has been a Republican stronghold since 1980. President Donald Trump carried it by 22 points in the 2024 presidential election.

This marked Tennessee’s first congressional special election in over 40 years, transforming what should have been a routine hold into a high-stakes test amid national political shifts. Democrats, riding momentum from off-year victories in Virginia and New Jersey earlier in November 2025, poured resources into the race, aiming to exploit Trump’s dipping approval ratings and voter concerns over the economy.

Outside groups amplified the drama: The Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. super PAC dropped $1.6 million – its first major investment since 2024 – while the Democratic House Majority PAC countered with $1 million for Behn. Total spending topped $6.5 million, per Federal Election Commission data.

The Candidates: Van Epps vs. Behn
Matt Van Epps: The Trump-Backed Veteran
Matt Van Epps, 42, a West Point graduate and former Army helicopter pilot, brought a military pedigree and state government experience to the race. As Tennessee’s former Commissioner of General Services under Gov. Bill Lee, he focused on veterans’ issues, small business protections, and tax reforms during his brief political career. Endorsed by Trump, who called into a rally urging a “sweeping victory,” Van Epps won the crowded GOP primary in October against 10 rivals.

In his victory speech at a Nashville watch party, Van Epps declared, “Running with Trump is how you win,” crediting the president’s support and a “movement of Tennesseans ready for change.” He joins Congress committed to “never leaving anyone behind,” echoing his military ethos.

Aftyn Behn: The Progressive Challenger
Aftyn Behn, a state representative since her 2023 special election win, positioned herself as a fresh voice for working families. Dubbed Tennessee’s “own AOC” by supporters, the former social services worker and healthcare organizer championed grocery tax repeal, housing affordability, Equal Rights Amendment codification, and workplace harassment reforms. Backed by progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former Vice President Al Gore, Behn won a four-way Democratic primary.

Behn led early voting 52%-46% in urban areas like Nashville but couldn’t overcome rural Election Day turnout favoring Van Epps. Conceding gracefully, she teased a potential rematch: “We’ve narrowed the margin… that’s a celebration worth having.”

Election Night: Key Moments and Turnout Insights
Polls closed under freezing conditions, with early results trickling in from the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website. Turnout mirrored 2018 midterm levels – higher than typical specials – signaling energized voters on both sides.

Trump’s Monday tele-rally and House Speaker Mike Johnson’s trail appearance provided a last-minute GOP boost, while Behn’s campaign drew crowds with promises of “miracles in Tennessee.” Social media buzzed with reactions, from Democratic influencers’ frustration to MAGA cheers.

Final Results: A Narrower-Than-Expected GOP Hold
Candidate Party Votes Percentage
Matt Van Epps Republican ~145,000 (projected) 53.9%
Aftyn Behn Democrat ~121,000 (projected) 45.0%
Others/Write-ins – ~3,000 1.1%
Source: Aggregated from AP, NYT, and NBC projections as of December 3, 2025.

Van Epps underperformed Trump’s 2024 margin by about 13 points, a shift Democrats called “historic.” County breakdowns showed Behn dominating Nashville’s Democratic precincts but lagging in rural areas like Montgomery and Robertson counties.

What the Tennessee 7th Special Election Means for 2026
Republicans breathed a sigh of relief, with NRCC Chair Richard Hudson praising Van Epps as “perfectly positioned” for Tennessee families. Yet, DNC Chair Ken Martin framed it as a GOP “wake-up call,” noting Democrats’ average 13% margin improvements in 60+ specials this year.

Analysts like Nate Cohn of The New York Times described the race as “well behind Republican benchmarks,” signaling vulnerability in red districts as economic woes and Trump’s agenda loom large. With midterms 11 months away, this result underscores the high stakes: Democrats need just three seats to flip the House.

As Van Epps prepares to be sworn in, Tennessee’s political landscape remains fiercely contested. For more on U.S. elections and breaking news, visit ClickUSANews.com.

This article was updated with final projections on December 3, 2025. Results are unofficial pending certification.

Keywords: Tennessee special election results 2025, Matt Van Epps wins, Aftyn Behn, 7th Congressional District, Trump endorsement, 2026 midterms preview, GOP House majority