Matt Van Epps Wins Tennessee’s 7th District Special Election as GOP Holds the Seat

Republicans kept control of Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District tonight as Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn in the closely watched special election. With nearly 99% of votes reporting, Van Epps secured 96,782 votes (53.9%), while Behn finished with 80,985 (45.1%), giving the GOP a 9% win.

Sources: NYT Elections; AP News; InteractivePolls; Ballotpedia.

GOP Wins Tennessee +9 Victory

TN-07 has long been reliable Republican ground, and while tonight didn’t produce a landslide, it reaffirmed the district’s conservative foundation. President Trump won this seat by more than 20 points in 2020, and although Van Epps didn’t match that margin, his performance showed that GOP turnout remains sturdy even in a December special election.

Republicans maintained an advantage across rural and ex-urban precincts, while Democrats fell short in the areas where they once hoped to build competitiveness. Behn outperformed expectations in a handful of suburban-adjacent precincts, but not enough to change the trajectory of the race. Independents continued trending right, reflecting broader statewide patterns.

Updated Vote Totals (99% Reporting)

• Matt Van Epps (R): 96,782 — 53.9%

• Aftyn Behn (D): 80,985 — 45.1%

• Total Ballots Counted: 177,767

What the Numbers Say About 2026

Tonight’s result underscores the GOP’s durability in Tennessee’s mid-state corridor. Republicans held their base, their early-vote margins stayed intact, and even with a quieter turnout profile, they maintained clear control of a district central to their statewide coalition. Nothing in the result suggests a Democratic resurgence in similar red-leaning districts.

Still, the narrower spread compared with past presidential cycles shows Democrats have a higher floor here than in years past — and that small levels of suburban-influenced movement may continue to shape competitive contours in future elections.

Why the Race Matters

Special elections often reveal more about political mood than national polls do. Van Epps’ win — steady, disciplined, and backed by consistent Republican turnout — signals that the GOP coalition remains intact as both parties look toward 2026. For Democrats, the challenge remains mobilizing voters in off-calendar contests, where enthusiasm has consistently lagged.