Republican Van Epps Wins Tennessee's 7th District Race
Is this a warning sign for the GOP in Trump territory, or a decisive MAGA victory against a radical candidate?
Above: Republican Matt Van Epps delivers his victory speech in Nashville, Tennessee, on Dec. 2, 2025. Image credit: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
The Republicans barely survived in a district that Trump won by 22 points one year ago, spending millions to hold a seat that should have been safe. Behn’s overperformance proves Democrats can compete anywhere and signals serious trouble for the GOP heading into midterms, where even deep red territory may be up for grabs.
Republican narrative
Van Epps delivered a decisive victory for the America First movement, defeating an AOC-style radical who openly aired her distaste for both Christianity and the state of Tennessee. Significantly, this win adds another strong Republican to Congress, a war hero who will fight in Washington for the interests of America and his home state.
