BREAKING: Republican Matt Van Epps has been declared the winner of the fiercely contested special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. This race, which has captured national attention, was officially projected by Decision Desk around 9:06 p.m. Eastern Time, with Van Epps leading with approximately 53% of the vote as 65% of districts reported.
As the results rolled in, major networks including CNN and NBC News confirmed Van Epps’ victory by 9:30 p.m. Eastern. The election, once deemed a safe Republican seat after Donald Trump won the district by a staggering 22 points last year, turned into a nail-biter as Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn mounted a vigorous campaign that drew within single digits in recent polls.
In a celebration of his win, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, stating, “Congratulations to Matt Van Epps on his BIG Congressional WIN in the Great State of Tennessee. The Radical Left Democrats threw everything at him, including Millions of Dollars. Another great night for the Republican Party!!!”
Concern among Republicans escalated as the election neared, driven by a trend of Democratic overperformance in special elections this year. Party leaders felt the heat, recalling significant losses during Trump’s first term, such as the Alabama Senate race. Representative Tim Burchett expressed urgency on Fox News, declaring, “We’ve already got people leaving… if Matt Van Epps can’t carry this thing, we’re in trouble. Republicans are asleep at the switch!”
The stakes were high, with both parties understanding that the election’s outcome could signal critical implications for next year’s midterm elections as Republicans defend their majorities in the House and Senate.
As the dust settles from this election, all eyes are on the political landscape in Tennessee and beyond. What happens next could reshape strategies for both parties as they prepare for the upcoming electoral battles.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to follow this developing story.
