{"id":2515961,"date":"2025-11-30T21:40:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T02:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/blackburn-tempers-expectations-in-tennessee-special-election\/"},"modified":"2025-11-30T21:41:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T02:41:27","slug":"blackburn-tempers-expectations-in-tennessee-special-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/blackburn-tempers-expectations-in-tennessee-special-election\/","title":{"rendered":"Blackburn tempers expectations in 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\">14<\/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%2Fblackburn-tempers-expectations-in-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=2515961&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>Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bush-says-gop-cant-win-anything-if-its-just-a-white-anglo-saxon-protestantism-party\/\" title=\"Bush Says GOP Can\u2019t \u2018Win Anything\u2019 If It\u2019s Just A \u2018White Anglo-Saxon Protestantism\u2019 Party\">expressed cautious optimism<\/a> about the Republican chances in Tennessee&#8217;s 7th Congressional District special election, which is unexpectedly competitive despite the district&#8217;s strong Republican history. The race is between Republican Matt Van Epps and Democrat Aftyn Behn, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bidens-job-approval-is-underwater-in-all-but-four-states-poll\/\" title=\"Biden\u2019s Job Approval Is Underwater In All But Four States: Poll\">recent polls showing<\/a> a narrow lead for Van Epps. The election will fill the seat left vacant by former Rep. Mark Green, and voters will cast their ballots soon. Blackburn emphasized that, although she avoided predicting a large victory, she expects Van Epps to win, highlighting the district&#8217;s consistent past support for Republicans and Van Epps&#8217; alignment with former President Trump. Trump has actively endorsed Van Epps and urged voters to support him, warning against underestimating the race as Democrats have invested heavily in the contest. Election trackers have recently downgraded the race from &#8220;safe Republican&#8221; to &#8220;lean Republican,&#8221; reflecting the surprising closeness of the contest.  <\/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\">Blackburn tempers expectations in Tennessee special election<\/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_2413938\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marsha-blackburn\">Marsha Blackburn<\/a> (R-TN) was hesitant in her prediction of a GOP victory in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tennessee\/\">Tennessee<\/a>&lsquo;s 7th Congressional District <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/special-elections\">special election<\/a>, as election trackers show a surprisingly close race in a deep-red district between Democrat Aftyn Behn and Republican Matt Van Epps.<\/p>\n<p>The special election will fill the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/susan-wright-heading-to-runoff-election-for-texas-congressional-seat-previously-held-by-late-husband\/\" title=\"Susan Wright heading to runoff ... for Texas congressional seat previously held by late husband\">seat previously held<\/a> by former Rep. Mark Green, who <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3463510\/green-officially-resigns-from-congress\/\">left<\/a> Congress in July. Voters head to the polls on Tuesday, and Blackburn, who held the 7th District for 16 years, appeared on Fox News&rsquo;s <em>The Big Weekend Show<\/em> to give her last-minute thoughts on the race.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3900441\/sununu-scott-brown-grassroots-backlash-new-hampshire-senate\/\">Scott Brown appeals to MAGA grassroots in Senate battle with John Sununu<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3900610\/2026-trump-redistricting-arms-race-house-majority\/\">Where redistricting stands a year out from the midterm elections<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3900267\/california-democrats-pet-projects-12-billion-dollar-deficit\/\">California Democrats push pet projects despite $12 billion deficit blamed on Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Asked by co-host Johnny Joey Jones whether she expects a &ldquo;large&rdquo; victory for Epps, Blackburn omitted that word, but nonetheless said he would prevail.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It is going to be a victory for Matt Van Epps,&rdquo; she said, despite Democratic groups pouring money into the race. &ldquo;This is a Republican district, Republicans will show up, they&rsquo;re going to vote, Matt is going to be there to support President Trump.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Blackburn&rsquo;s optimism aligns with recent election history for the 7th District. Her three <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >past congressional elections<\/a> there saw her secure at least 70% of the vote, while Green netted anywhere from 59% to 69% in his three campaigns.<\/p>\n<p>But election trackers and a recent poll have <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3899771\/tennessee-7th-district-shifts-safe-republican-lean-republican-election-tracker\/\">signaled<\/a> this will be a closer race than ever before. Inside Elections recently shifted its rating for it from &ldquo;safe&nbsp;Republican&rdquo; to &ldquo;lean Republican,&rdquo; a change which came in response to an Emerson College Polling and the&nbsp;<em>Hill<\/em> survey showing 48% of voters support Epps and 46% support Behn.<\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump&rsquo;s backing is also seemingly on the ballot, especially after widespread losses for the Republican Party in the 2025 off-year elections.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3899771\/tennessee-7th-district-shifts-safe-republican-lean-republican-election-tracker\/\">TENNESSEE&rsquo;S 7TH DISTRICT SHIFTS FROM &lsquo;SAFE REPUBLICAN&rsquo; TO &lsquo;LEAN REPUBLICAN&rsquo; IN ELECTION TRACKER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Earlier on Sunday, Trump <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/115640171509477265\">urged<\/a> voters to cast their ballots for Epps, who he called &ldquo;one of the best Candidates we&rsquo;ve ever had.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Do not take this Race for granted. The Radical Left Democrats are spending a fortune to beat one of the best Candidates we&rsquo;ve ever had, Matt Van Epps! You can win this Election for Matt. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR MATT VAN EPPS, who has my Complete and Total Endorsement &mdash; HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!&rdquo; he posted on Truth Social.<\/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>Blackburn cautious on GOP win in TN&#8217;s close special election<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3359,"featured_media":2515962,"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\/blackburn-tn-7th-district.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[3631,35835,34059,67968,67112],"class_list":["post-2515961","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-blackburn","tag-campaign-strategy","tag-election-2024","tag-political-expectations","tag-tennessee-special-election"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/blackburn-tn-7th-district.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2515961","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\/3359"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2515961"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2515961\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2515965,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2515961\/revisions\/2515965"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2515962"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2515961"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2515961"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2515961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}