The Tennessee special election taking place on December 2, 2025, has captured national attention as voters in the state’s 7th Congressional District prepare to choose their next representative. This closely watched race between Republican Matt Van Epps and Democrat Aftyn Behn could have significant implications for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
What Triggered the Tennessee Special Election?
The Tennessee special election was called after longtime Republican Representative Mark Green resigned from Congress on July 20, 2025. Green, who had served the district since 2019, stepped down to pursue what he described as an exciting private sector opportunity.
His departure came shortly after Congress passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a major legislative package advancing President Trump’s domestic agenda. Green’s resignation created a vacancy in a district that had been a Republican stronghold for years, setting the stage for one of the most competitive special elections Tennessee has seen in decades.
Key Candidates in the TN-7 Special Election
Matt Van Epps – Republican Candidate
Matt Van Epps brings a distinguished military background to the race. As a retired U.S. Army officer and Tennessee Army National Guard lieutenant colonel, Van Epps served as a special operations helicopter pilot. Before entering the race, he worked as Commissioner of Tennessee’s Department of General Services.
Van Epps has received endorsements from President Donald Trump, former Representative Mark Green, and numerous Republican lawmakers. His campaign focuses on border security, energy independence, and conservative family values.
Aftyn Behn – Democratic Candidate
State Representative Aftyn Behn has served in the Tennessee General Assembly since winning a special election in 2023. Before her political career, Behn worked as an organizer for the Tennessee Justice Center, advocating for low-income families.
Her legislative efforts have included proposals to eliminate Tennessee’s grocery tax and legalize marijuana with tax revenues directed toward infrastructure improvements. Behn has received support from former Vice President Kamala Harris, DNC Chair Ken Martin, and progressive congressional members.
Understanding Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District
The 7th Congressional District spans an impressive geographic area, covering 14 counties across Middle Tennessee. The district stretches from the Kentucky border in the north to the Alabama border in the south, incorporating diverse communities with varying political leanings.
District Demographics and Voting History
The district includes:
- Urban Areas: Parts of Nashville (Davidson County) and Clarksville (Montgomery County)
- Suburban Communities: Wealthy areas like Franklin in Williamson County
- Rural Counties: Eight predominantly rural counties maintaining strong Republican traditions
In the 2024 presidential election, the district supported Donald Trump by more than 22 percentage points. Former Representative Green won his 2024 re-election by over 20 points, demonstrating the district’s historically conservative character.
Current Polling and Race Dynamics
Recent polling has revealed a surprisingly competitive race in what was once considered a safe Republican seat. An Emerson College/The Hill survey conducted November 22-24, 2025, shows Van Epps leading Behn by just 48% to 46% among likely voters, with 5% undecided.
When accounting for voters leaning toward candidates, the margin narrows further to 49-47%, well within the poll’s margin of error. This tight race has prompted both parties to invest heavily in the outcome.
Early Voting and Turnout Trends
Early voting for the Tennessee special election began on November 12 and concluded on November 26, 2025. Initial turnout data suggests strong voter engagement, with more than 63,000 ballots cast early—representing approximately 35% of the district’s 2022 midterm turnout.
This robust early participation indicates heightened interest in the race, likely driven by national attention and significant campaign spending from both parties.
Why This Special Election Matters Nationally
The Tennessee special election carries implications far beyond state borders. Republicans currently hold a narrow 219-213 majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, making every seat critical for maintaining legislative control.
Democratic Momentum in 2025
Democrats have performed surprisingly well in special elections throughout 2025. In the four special House elections held earlier this year, Democratic candidates exceeded their 2024 performance by an average of 16 percentage points.
This pattern has given Democrats hope that they can capitalize on changing voter sentiment and potentially flip a deep-red district. A strong showing—or even an upset victory—would send a powerful message about the national political climate heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Campaign Spending and Outside Influence
The competitive nature of the Tennessee special election has attracted massive campaign spending from outside groups. Super PACs and national organizations have poured approximately $7 million into the race, signaling that both parties view the outcome as consequential.
The Democratic-aligned House Majority PAC committed $1 million to support Behn, marking the super PAC’s first special election expenditure of the year. Republican-aligned groups, including those connected to President Trump’s political operation and the National Republican Congressional Committee, have invested heavily in Van Epps’s campaign.
Key Issues Shaping the Tennessee Special Election
Economy and Cost of Living
Both candidates have made economic concerns central to their campaigns. Van Epps emphasizes working with President Trump to reduce living costs for Tennessee families, while Behn focuses on healthcare affordability and access.
Healthcare and Social Programs
Healthcare access has emerged as a significant campaign issue, with Behn advocating for expanded coverage and Green’s resignation raising questions about Social Security and Medicare protections.
Border Security and Immigration
Van Epps has positioned border security as a top priority, aligning with Republican messaging on immigration enforcement and national security concerns.
National Political Climate
The race serves as a referendum on the Trump administration’s agenda and Republican control of Congress, with both parties viewing the results as an indicator of voter sentiment heading into 2026.
Historical Context: Special Elections in Tennessee
The Tennessee special election represents a rare occurrence in state politics. According to Davidson County Democratic Party Chair Dakota Galban, this marks Tennessee’s first special congressional election in nearly 40 years—truly a once-in-a-generation political event.
This rarity has contributed to the heightened interest and uncertainty surrounding the race, as neither party has recent experience with special election dynamics in Tennessee.
What to Expect on Election Day
The general election will take place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Voters should remember to bring valid photo identification and verify their assigned polling location before heading to vote.
Both campaigns are conducting final get-out-the-vote efforts, with volunteers canvassing neighborhoods and making last-minute appeals to undecided voters.
The Path Forward After December 2
The winner of the Tennessee special election will serve the remainder of the 119th Congress, which ends on January 3, 2027. This means the new representative will have approximately 13 months to establish themselves before facing voters again in the 2026 regular election cycle.
Given the competitive nature of this race, the December 2 victor may face another challenging campaign relatively soon, particularly if the losing party views the seat as potentially flippable in a regular election year.
Conclusion
The Tennessee special election has evolved from what seemed like a routine replacement of a retiring Republican representative into a nationally significant political contest. The unexpectedly close polling, massive campaign spending, and strong early turnout all point to a race that could reshape political strategies heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Whether Van Epps maintains Republican control of the seat or Behn pulls off an upset victory, the results will provide valuable insights into voter priorities, the effectiveness of campaign messaging, and the durability of traditional partisan advantages in changing political environments.
As voters in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District cast their ballots on December 2, political observers nationwide will be watching closely to interpret what this special election reveals about American politics at this pivotal moment.
FAQs
Q When is the Tennessee special election?
The Tennessee special election will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Early voting took place from November 12 through November 26, 2025.
Q Who are the candidates in the Tennessee special election?
The two main candidates are Republican Matt Van Epps, a retired Army officer and former state commissioner, and Democrat Aftyn Behn, a current state representative from Nashville. There are also four other candidates on the ballot.
Q Why was a special election called in Tennessee’s 7th District?
The special election was triggered by the resignation of Republican Representative Mark Green, who stepped down on July 20, 2025, to pursue opportunities in the private sector after helping pass major legislation.
Q What counties are included in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District?
The district includes 14 counties: Benton, Cheatham, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Perry, Robertson, Stewart, Wayne, and Williamson. It encompasses parts of Nashville, Clarksville, and Franklin, along with numerous rural communities.
Q How competitive is the Tennessee special election?
Recent polling shows an unexpectedly tight race, with Republican Matt Van Epps leading Democrat Aftyn Behn by just 2-3 percentage points, well within the margin of error. This is remarkable for a district that supported Donald Trump by more than 22 points in 2024.
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