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Republican Matt Van Epps Wins Tennessee Special Election
Matt Van Epps won with 53.9% of the vote in a key race reflecting shifting political momentum ahead of 2026 midterms, despite heavy national spending by both parties.
- On Tuesday, Republican Matt Van Epps won the special election for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, defeating Aftyn Behn with 53.9 percent to 45.0 percent, a margin of just over 15,000 votes.
- The special election was prompted by the July resignation of Rep. Mark Green, with both parties' national committees treating it as a national contest, mobilizing top figures and resources.
- Republican-Aligned groups spent over $3.5 million on ads, including $1.7 million from MAGA Inc., $473,000 from Club for Growth, and $767,000 from Conservatives for American Excellence Inc., while President Donald Trump held telerallies and House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigned Monday.
- The result moves House Republicans to 220 seats once Van Epps is sworn in, giving House Speaker Mike Johnson a small buffer that may shrink due to upcoming resignations and special elections.
- Democrats cast the close result as momentum heading into 2026, as Aftyn Behn narrowed the usual Republican margin despite President Donald Trump's 2024 margin in the district and turnout in the special election neared midterm levels.
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Former Nashville state military veteran and general service commissioner defeated Democratic Aftyn Behn
Coverage Details
Total News Sources74
Leaning Left16Leaning Right29Center20Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Right
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Right
45% Right
L 24%
C 31%
R 45%
Factuality
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