Trump Cheers As Republican Van Epps Crushes ‘AOC of Tennessee’

“To Present Donald J Trump, thank you sir. Your endorsement made the difference and I will never forget it,” Congressman Matt Van Epps.

Tennessee’s 7th Congressional seat was vacated by Republican Mark Green in July. Republican Matt Van Epps carried 53.9 percent of the vote—and the progressive Democrat Aftyn Behn came in with 45 percent. It was close, but not the nailbiter we’d been led to believe was coming (NBC).

Dmitri Bolt at Townhall: [Van Epps] has vowed to work with the president to make America more affordable, to reshore manufacturing jobs, and to unleash American energy. It was clear that the economy was voters’ number one priority in this election, and that is unlikely to change heading into 2026 (Townhall).

Scott Jennings: Aftyn Behn (D) lost tonight’s special election in TN, but make no mistake: She’s the median Democrat, a lunatic radical progressive. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dems continue to run the most Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs candidates they can find. Is this really who we want running the country? Defund the police radicals who look down their noses at rural America? (Jennings)

Trump‑endorsed Matt Van Epps wins the special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, defeating Democrat Aftyn Behn.

The media is tried to paint this as a close call. 10 points isn’t close. It’s a triumph.

VICTORY!

Congratulations to Congressman-Elect Matt Van Epps in Tennessee’s 7th congressional district.

Republicans keep control of the House of Representatives.

+1🟥 HOLD pic.twitter.com/VtCWWIIc5B

— ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) December 3, 2025

Congressman-Elect Matt Van Epps following his crucial election win in Tennessee tonight:

“The military taught me to be a team, trust the person next to you, stay mission focused, and never leave anyone behind. The spirit I'll take to Washington.” 🇺🇸🔥
pic.twitter.com/5bwsZwhVfu

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 3, 2025

Trump celebrates as Republican Matt Van Epps defeats ‘AOC of Tennessee’ in House special election

By Victor Nava, NY Post, Dec. 2, 2025:

Republican Matt Van Epps held off Democrat Aftyn Behn in Tuesday’s hotly contested special election for Tennessee’s 7th District House seat, giving the GOP a much-needed electoral victory to close out a bumpy 2025.

With 99% of the expected vote in, Van Epps — a former Army helicopter pilot endorsed by President Trump — led Behn by 8.9 percentage points, well below the 22-point margin that Trump carried the district by in last year’s presidential election.

Behn, a 36-year-old state representative, had raised Democrats’ hopes for a stunning upset in the conservative stronghold after late polling showed her within striking distance of Van Epps and forced a last-minute surge of campaigning from both the president and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.)

“Congratulations to Matt Van Epps on his BIG Congressional WIN in the Great State of Tennessee,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “The Radical Left Democrats threw everything at him, including Millions of Dollars.

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Tennessee Democrat who said she hates Nashville, country music is neck-and-neck with Republican in special House race: poll
“Another great night for the Republican Party!!! President DJT”.

“Politicians who run from the president or abandon the common-sense policies that the American people gave us a resounding mandate on do so at their own peril,” Van Epps said at his victory party. “No matter what the DC insiders or liberal media say, this is President Trump’s party. I’m proud to be a part of it and can’t wait to get to work.”

Behn defeated Van Epps by a margin of more than three-to-one in deep-blue Davidson County — where Nashville is located — but the Republican more than made up the difference in the rest of the district, which includes staunchly GOP counties across central Tennessee.

At her own campaign party, Behn — who was dogged by resurfaced comments from a 2020 podcast in which she said “I hate country music” — took the stage in a western-style rhinestone suit while singing Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5.”

“Tonight isn’t the end. It is the beginning of a next chapter of Tennessee and American politics — one of possibility, one of power and one of progress for the people that we love,” she said.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement that the outcome showed the party is “on offense and Republicans are on the ropes” ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

The seat was previously held by former Rep. Mark Green, the onetime chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee who resigned earlier this year for a private sector job.

The Tennessee race took on greater importance after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) announced last month that she would leave Congress come January.

Once Van Epps is sworn in, Republicans will temporarily have 220 House seats while Democrats will have 213. There are two vacancies in Democrat-controlled districts where special elections will be held in early 2026.

Continued…….