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Matt Van Epps has won the Republican nomination to replace Mark Green in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. Van Epps secured 42.3% of the vote in a primary against nine other candidates, with state Rep. Jody Barrett coming in second with 26.3%. The Associated Press called the race shortly after polls closed. Van Epps, an Army veteran and former Tennessee Department of General Services commissioner, benefited significantly from former President Donald Trump’s endorsement, which helped consolidate support after two of Van Epps’s rivals withdrew.<\/p>\n

The GOP-leaning district virtually guarantees Van Epps’s victory in the December 2 general election<\/a>, which will strengthen the House GOP majority. Currently, Speaker Mike Johnson’s majority is narrow, and Van Epps’s win will help maintain a slim Republican edge heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Jody Barrett was backed by the House Freedom Fund but faced criticism for opposing a school voucher expansion<\/a> supported by Tennessee’s governor. Trump’s active campaigning included a tele-rally and social media efforts<\/a>, underscoring his influence in the race.

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