Democrats were hoping for an upset in Tuesday’s special election in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, but it (thankfully) didn’t materialize. Republican Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn in a race that was much closer than it should have been. Votes are still being tallied, but Epps is winning by approximately five points.
Here’s more. (READ)
🚨 BREAKING: Trump-endorsed Matt Van Epps (R) WINS Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special election, defeating Aftyn Behn (D)
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 3, 2025
This will make the Republican U.S. House majority 220-213, up from 219.
LET'S GO! We NEEDED to win this. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/14OOd4YqE5
Decision Desk HQ projects Matt Van Epps to win the US House special election in Tennessee's 7th congressional district.#DecisionMade: 9:06 pm ET pic.twitter.com/Uud1B74sKx
— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) December 3, 2025
DDHQ Race Update (est. 67% in): Tennessee US House 7 Special Election General
— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) December 3, 2025
Matt Van Epps (R): 53,889
(52.1%)
Aftyn Behn (D): 48,402
(46.8%)
Follow more results here:https://t.co/GwhjSbp0q6
Democrats are sure to spin this defeat into a victory based on the close margin. The district went +22 for President Donald Trump in last year's presidential election.
Still, Behn and her far-left allies are probably stewing. Meanwhile, Republicans had enough turnout to send her packing.
— Erickson (@erickson_68) December 3, 2025
Nationalizing this race was an incredibly dumb move by democrats. Republicans came out in full force today.
— Khoa (@1980Khoa) December 3, 2025
Election day voting was RED, RED, RED.
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 3, 2025
Hallelujah! 💥
— Rina Interiors (@Rinainteriors) December 3, 2025
Thank you Jesus!
That's was scary there for a few minutes. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Very good news. Enough Rs turned out. Rs need to up their turnout going into next year.
— Scott (@Hamishdad) December 3, 2025
The special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District was triggered by Republican Representative Mark Green’s resignation in July. Hopefully, House Speaker Mike Johnson will swear in Representative-Elect Matt Van Epps as soon as possible.