With Election Day approaching in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, both Republicans and Democrats are pouring millions into the race for a vacancy in a normally red district. The contest, seen as a key test for the GOP’s House majority, features Trump-backed candidate Matt Van Epps facing off against progressive Democrat Aftyn Behn, who is drawing attention for her criticism of Nashville and country music. The candidates are leveraging their party’s resources, with MAGA Inc. and Club for Growth heavily backing Van Epps while Democrats are focusing on affordability issues.
The race, which is set for Dec. 2, has become a flashpoint for both parties, with the stakes raised by the potential impact on the GOP’s razor-thin 219-213 majority in the House. President Donald Trump’s strong performance in the district, where he won by 22 points last year, has made it a top priority for the Republican Party to maintain control. Democrats, energized by recent victories in the 2025 elections, are also intensifying their efforts to challenge the GOP’s dominance.
Aftyn Behn, the Democratic nominee, is positioning herself as a candidate who will put a check on Trump’s party in Congress. Her campaign highlights issues of affordability, such as rising grocery prices and healthcare costs, and she has drawn comparisons to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who some have dubbed the ‘AOC of Tennessee.’ Van Epps, on the other hand, is emphasizing his military service and his commitment to lowering costs and creating jobs for working families.
Both parties are also deploying their aligned super PACs and outside groups to flood the airwaves and digital landscape with advertisements. MAGA Inc. and the Club for Growth have each spent millions to support Van Epps, while the Democratic National Committee has poured resources into the race. The RNC, meanwhile, has been targeting Behn over her past comments about Nashville and country music, questioning her commitment to representing the district.
Despite the intense campaign activity, both parties acknowledge that the contest is a close race. John Greer, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University, noted that the special election is expected to have low turnout, but the high levels of spending from both sides suggest that the race could be decided by a narrow margin. However, the outcome remains uncertain, with the stakes tied to the broader political landscape and the potential shift in the House majority.