Republican Matt Van Epps Wins Tennessee Special Election, Secures GOP Seat

Republican Matt Van Epps won the special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. He defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn. The election was held on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. The seat was left open after Republican Rep. Mark Green stepped down earlier this year.

This result maintains Republican control of this district. According to NBC News, Van Epps built a decisive lead by winning most rural counties. His victory was confirmed after a strong Election Day turnout.

County Results Show a Clear Urban-Rural Divide

The district includes parts of 14 counties. Van Epps won 12 of them. His support was strongest in rural areas.

For example, he won Wayne County with 84.6% of the vote. He took Decatur County with 79.3%. These numbers come from NBC News election data.

Democrat Aftyn Behn’s support was concentrated in the city. She won Davidson County, which includes Nashville, overwhelmingly. She received 80.5% of the vote there.

However, that urban strength was not enough. Suburban counties like Williamson and Montgomery favored Van Epps. This pattern sealed the Republican win.

What This Election Result Means for Tennessee Politics

The outcome has immediate consequences. The Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives grows slightly. Van Epps is expected to align with the party’s conservative agenda.

For voters, the race highlighted a persistent political split. Urban centers voted heavily Democratic. The surrounding suburban and rural areas powered the Republican victory. This divide is a key feature of modern Tennessee politics.

Van Epps will serve the remainder of the current term. He will need to campaign again soon for a full term. The political landscape in this district appears stable for now.

Matt Van Epps’s win in the Tennessee special election reinforces the state’s current political alignment. His focus will now shift to Washington and representing his district’s varied interests.

Info at your fingertips

Who did Matt Van Epps replace in Congress?

Van Epps replaced former Republican Representative Mark Green. Green vacated the seat earlier in 2025, prompting this special election to fill the remainder of his term.

Which county gave Aftyn Behn her biggest win?

Aftyn Behn won Davidson County by a huge margin. She secured 80.5% of the vote there, according to results reported by NBC News.

What was the overall vote count?

With most votes counted, Matt Van Epps received 78,589 votes. Aftyn Behn got 71,361 votes. This gave Van Epps a lead of approximately 4.7 percentage points.

Why was this election considered important?

The election was important for national party control. Every seat matters in the closely divided U.S. House of Representatives. This win helps solidify the Republican majority.