NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Matt Van Epps, a former commissioner in Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s administration, won Tuesday’s crowded Republican primary in a special election to replace a Republican lawmaker who resigned this summer.
Van Epps won the election after receiving support from President Donald Trump after early voting ended. Eleven Republicans were voting to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Mark Green. Two of the candidates, including state Rep. Lee Reeves, suspended their campaigns after Trump expressed his opinion and also endorsed Van Epps.
“Thank you to the people of Midwest Tennessee! Our campaign for Donald J. Trump won a landslide victory tonight,” Van Epps said on social media. “Now, on to December 2nd! We will win the general and keep this seat red!”
The general election on December 2nd could be the next test of popularity. President Trump’s aggressive second term policyespecially among suburban Republican voters.
Meanwhile, four candidates remained in a close race in the Democratic primary.
The seat is one of three districts Republican lawmakers have designated as safe red in 2022. Divide left-wing Nashville. Voters elected Greene by a 21-point margin in 2024 and by almost 22 points in 2022.
During the primary campaign, Van Epps drew on his military experience, including serving as a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard and as an Army special operations helicopter pilot. Among the competitors he defeated were state Rep. Jody Barrett and state Rep. Gino Balso.
Mr. Trump’s endorsement followed prior endorsements for Mr. Van Epps from Governor Lee, Mr. Greene, and Congressman Jim Jordan.
Democrats attack Trump policies
On the campaign trail, Democratic candidates attacked the tariffs as well as what President Trump called “a big, beautiful bill.”
Congressman Aftin Behn is a social worker and community activist who has focused on women’s reproductive health rights, including as a plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s law banning adult assistance. minors undergo abortions without parental permission. The judge halted enforcement of this provision.
U.S. Rep. Vincent Dixie, a bail bond businessman, touted his accomplishments as the leader of the first Black Caucus in state history. “Washington is piling up trash for working families,” he said in a campaign video from a garbage truck.
Representative Bo Mitchell, who works on employee benefits, has focused on access to health care and the district’s rural Dickson County roots.
Darden Copeland founded a public relations firm called Calvert Street Group and has worked as a consultant for Democratic campaigns. He won a position in the private sector among elected officials.
Districts include Nashville, rural areas, and suburbs
The 7th Congressional District spans 14 counties and borders both Kentucky and Alabama. In addition to parts of Nashville, it includes rural areas, wealthy suburbs, and Fort Campbell, part of the military installation.
Outside groups spent more than $3.1 million on the race, most of it on the Republican side and about $1.1 million against Barrett.
Republican candidates praised Trump and expressed staunch opposition to anything perceived as liberal or “woke.”
This special election provided state representatives with an attractive opportunity to run for Congress without losing their seats or holding a concurrent election.
Of the nine seats in the Tennessee House of Representatives, there is currently only one Democrat, Representative Steve Cohen of Memphis. Republican redistricting in 2022 allows Republicans to flip more Democratic seats drawn to include only parts of Nashville.
