{"id":2514257,"date":"2025-11-25T07:18:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T12:18:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mtg-departure-ramps-up-pressure-over-tennessee-special-election\/"},"modified":"2025-11-25T07:21:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T12:21:11","slug":"mtg-departure-ramps-up-pressure-over-tennessee-special-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mtg-departure-ramps-up-pressure-over-tennessee-special-election\/","title":{"rendered":"MTG departure ramps up pressure over Tennessee special election"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmtg-departure-ramps-up-pressure-over-tennessee-special-election%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2514257&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-5-ore-counties-vote-on-leaving-state-residents-want-to-detach-from-deep-blue-state-and-join-greater-idaho\/\" title=\"Report: 5 Ore. counties vote on leaving state, residents want to detach from deep blue state and join Greater Idaho\">upcoming special election<\/a> in Tennessee on December 2 is gaining heightened significance following Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene&#8217;s unexpected resignation from Congress. With Speaker Mike Johnson holding a narrow 219-213 Republican majority in the House and three current vacancies-including Tennessee&#8217;s seat formerly held by Mark Green-this election could critically impact the GOP&#8217;s control. The Cook Political Report recently shifted the Tennessee race rating from &#8220;Solid Republican&#8221; to &#8220;Likely Republican,&#8221; reflecting growing Democratic momentum after <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >recent elections showed swings<\/a> in their favor. Democrats see an opportunity to flip the district, while Republicans are investing heavily in defending it, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-endorses-mike-pences-brother-without-mentioning-ex-vp\/\" title=\"... Endorses Mike Pence\u2019s Brother Without Mentioning Ex-VP\">high-profile endorsements<\/a> like former President Donald Trump backing GOP candidate Matt Van Epps.<\/p>\n<p>The race has become a focal point for both parties, with Republicans attacking Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn over her past comments, and Democrats energized by recent gubernatorial victories and prominent campaign appearances, including former Vice President Kamala Harris. This election is viewed as pivotal for the Republican Party&#8217;s legislative agenda ahead of the 2026 midterms, especially as more House members, including Greene and others, announce retirements citing threats and political pressures. The outcome could either sustain or dramatically narrow the fragile Republican majority in the House.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">MTG departure ramps pressure up on GOP to hold Tennessee, as the knives come out for Democratic candidate<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2410745\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/special-election\/\">special election<\/a> taking place in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tennessee\/\">Tennessee<\/a> on December 2 is taking on added importance in the wake of Rep.<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marjorie-taylor-greene\/\"> Marjorie Taylor Greene&rsquo;s<\/a> (R-GA) shocking resignation from Congress.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-johnson\/\">Speaker Mike Johnson<\/a> (R-LA) currently has a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/pressgallery.house.gov\/member-data\/party-breakdown\">precarious 219-213 majority<\/a> in the House of Representatives, with three vacancies, one of which is the Tennessee seat vacated by former Rep. Mark Green. The other two vacancies are from Democratic districts, one in Texas and one in New Jersey, and both will have special elections early next year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3897564\/holiday-sales-growth-expected-slower-this-year-affordability-issues-weigh-economy\/\">Holiday sales growth expected to be slower this year as affordability issues weigh on economy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3897925\/russia-launches-460-drones-into-ukraine\/\">Russia launches over 460 drones into Ukraine, killing six, as peace talks continue<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3897670\/greene-record-congressional-departures-2026\/\">&#8216;Disrespected and unprotected&#8217;: Dozens of lawmakers are heading for the exits early<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>However, if the worst-case scenario for Republicans comes to pass next week, with Democrats flipping Tennessee, Johnson&rsquo;s majority would potentially shrink to three, with Greene&rsquo;s departure in January 2026 further reducing that to two, leaving him with virtually no wiggle room should one member vote against Republican legislation.<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cookpolitical.com\/house\/race\/485206\">Cook Political Report <\/a>changed the Tennessee special election from &ldquo;Solid R&rdquo; to &ldquo;Likely R&rdquo; in November, following the 2025 elections, which saw a swing toward Democrats. Mark Green won his district by 21 points, making it a tall order for Democrats to flip, but they sense blood in the water.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Sources roundly agree that Nashville Democrats are ravenous at the prospect of an upset, while many Republican voters are unaware an election is even taking place,&rdquo; CPR wrote of the race.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Democratic strategist Jon Reinish shared a similar sentiment with the <em>Washington Examiner, <\/em>saying it is &ldquo;telling&rdquo; that Republicans are spending time and money on this race.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The fact that this is even being discussed as something remotely close and not a Republican cleaning the Democrats clock, which is what typically happens in this district and in this state, means that Republicans are going to say, &lsquo;s***, we&rsquo;ve got to throw everything at this race,&rsquo; even though they shouldn&rsquo;t even have to pay attention to it,&rdquo; Reinish said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They shouldn&rsquo;t even be spending 20 bucks on this race,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;Instead, they&rsquo;re spending a lot of money.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Aside from spending money on this race, major Republican voices have also chimed in. President Donald Trump endorsed Republican candidate Matt Van Epps, holding a tele-rally in support of him. Johnson did a local radio interview with Van Epps, which will air on Tuesday, encouraging early voting. Other Republicans have begun taking shots at Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn for some of her previous comments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Aftyn Behn hates our city, our culture, and our traditions. No one who despises the identity of a place should be asking to represent it,&rdquo; conservative influencer Riley Gaines <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Riley_Gaines_\/status\/1992841375172497688\">wrote on X<\/a>. &ldquo;Nashvillians, early vote for<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MattForTN\"> @MattForTN<\/a> tomorrow!!!!&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Republican National Committee has also been attacking Behn on social media ahead of the race, posting videos of her dodging questions on defunding the police.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Democrat Aftyn Behn refuses THREE TIMES to walk back her previous calls to defund the police:<\/p>\n<p>MSNBC: &#8220;Do you still stand by those comments?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>BEHN: &#8220;I&#8217;m not going to give cable news talking points&hellip;.<\/p>\n<p>MSNBC: &#8220;What is your position today?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>BEHN: &#8220;I&#8217;m gonna talk about my race.&#8221; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/92YRm2KMOk\">pic.twitter.com\/92YRm2KMOk<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RNCResearch\/status\/1992748967491510366?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Republicans are not the only party with big names chiming in as Election Day approaches.<\/p>\n<p>Major players from the Democratic side have also weighed in on the race, such as former Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin. Harris appeared for the first time on the campaign trail in Nashville since she ran for president in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats have remained encouraged after last month&rsquo;s double-digit gubernatorial wins in both New Jersey and Virginia. This election holds high stakes as it could be a turning point for any legislative priorities the Republican Party wants to accomplish before the 2026 midterm elections.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Green announced his retirement earlier this year as he headed for a job in the private sector. Since then, many well-known and affluent House members have also announced their retirements. From former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to Greene, and more central figures such as Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Jared Golden (D-ME) are facing a major shake-up in the lower chamber.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3895437\/scandals-cory-mills-sheila-cherfilus-mccormick-infighting\/\">MILLS AND CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK SCANDALS SPUR PUBLIC INFIGHTING AMONG FLORIDA HOUSE DELEGATION<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Both Greene and Golden cited threats of political violence against them and their families as a reason to step aside from Congress. Greene has faced a massive amount of blowback after publicly feuding with Trump on many occasions in recent months, leading to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/joe-biden-cannot-let-go-of-his-obsession-with-donald-trump\/\" title=\"Joe Biden Cannot Let Go of His Obsession with Donald ...\">president withdrawing<\/a> his endorsement of Greene.<\/p>\n<p>The<em> Washington Examiner <\/em>reached out to Johnson&rsquo;s office for comment. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MTG exit raises GOP pressure to keep Tennessee seat<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3691,"featured_media":2514258,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/111825_WEX_EPSTEIN_PRESSER-9-e1763579978895.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[8508,38533,67112],"class_list":["post-2514257","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-mtg","tag-political-pressure","tag-tennessee-special-election"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/111825_WEX_EPSTEIN_PRESSER-9-e1763579978895.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2514257","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3691"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2514257"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2514257\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2514261,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2514257\/revisions\/2514261"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2514258"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2514257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2514257"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2514257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}