{"id":2516800,"date":"2025-12-02T22:12:01","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T03:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republican-matt-van-epps-wins-tennessee-special-election\/"},"modified":"2025-12-02T22:13:33","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T03:13:33","slug":"republican-matt-van-epps-wins-tennessee-special-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republican-matt-van-epps-wins-tennessee-special-election\/","title":{"rendered":"Republican Matt Van Epps wins 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\">16<\/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%2Frepublican-matt-van-epps-wins-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=2516800&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>Republican Matt Van Epps has won the special election for Tennessee&#8217;s 7th Congressional District, filling the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-mexico-congressional-election-poses-early-test-for-democrats\/\" title=\"New Mexico Congressional ... Poses Early Test for Democrats\">seat left vacant<\/a> by former Rep.Mark Green. The Associated Press called the race shortly after polls closed, with Van Epps leading Democrat Aftyn Behn by nine points with nearly all votes counted.Despite his victory,the narrow margin of his win-significantly smaller than President Trump&#8217;s 2024 margin and Green&#8217;s previous win-has raised concerns among GOP leaders about the party&#8217;s prospects in the 2026 midterms. The race drew significant national attention and nearly $4 million in outside spending,with Republicans investing heavily to secure the seat. democrats viewed the close result as a warning for Republicans,emphasizing that no GOP seat should be considered safe in upcoming elections. Van Epps&#8217;s win maintains the current slim Republican majority in the house, critical for passing legislation, but highlights ongoing electoral challenges for the party.  <\/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\">Republican Matt Van Epps wins Tennessee special election, dashing Democratic hopes of upset<\/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_2421097\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\">Republican<\/a>&nbsp;Matt Van Epps will serve as the representative for Tennessee&rsquo;s 7th Congressional District, filling the seat vacated by former Rep. Mark Green.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Associated Press<\/em> called the race for Van Epps at 9:45 p.m. after the polls closed at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Van Epps had a 9-point lead over Democrat Aftyn Behn with 95% of the votes counted at the time the race was called.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3904660\/ayanna-pressley-reelection-house-seat\/\">&#8216;Squad&#8217; Rep. Ayanna Pressley to forgo Senate bid and run for House reelection<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3904338\/mike-rounds-post-holiday-reelection-announcement\/\">Mike Rounds planning post-holiday reelection announcement<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3903989\/tim-burchett-encourages-tennesseans-vote-against-homegrown-marxist-aftyn-behn\/\">Tim Burchett encourages Tennesseans to vote against &#8216;homegrown Marxist&#8217; Aftyn Behn<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Van Epps&rsquo;s win, however, is not likely to completely put GOP concerns over their 2026 election prospects to rest given how slim his victory was compared to President Donald Trump, who won the district in 2024 by over 20 points, and Green, who won with 59.5% of the vote.<\/p>\n<p>The Republican&rsquo;s victory comes after a stressful few months of campaigning in the general election. Despite a resounding victory in the GOP&rsquo;s October primary and a strong endorsement from Trump, polling showed Van Epps with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/emersoncollegepolling.com\/tennessee-7th-district-2025-special-election-poll\/\">only a 2-point lead<\/a>, well within the poll&rsquo;s margin of error,  heading into Tuesday&rsquo;s contest.<\/p>\n<p>The close race had many Republicans worried despite House Republican leadership insisting behind closed doors that the race was in their hands.&nbsp;A senior House Republican told&nbsp;<em>Politico<\/em>&nbsp;that a single-digit victory margin would cause the conference to become &ldquo;unhinged.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>And had Behn won, it would have been the&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MediumBuying\/status\/1995482530481361137\">fourth-biggest special election<\/a>&nbsp;flip in the last 20 years.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats seized on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-finalizes-congressional-map-with-two-new-seats\/\" title=\"Texas Finalizes Congressional Map With Two New ...s\">single-digit margin<\/a> by which Matt Van Epps won, calling it a &ldquo;five-alarm fire&rdquo; for the GOP.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Tonight&rsquo;s results make it clear: No House Republican&rsquo;s reelection should be considered safe next November. National Republicans were forced to pull out all the stops, spending nearly $4 million and investing in a massive turnout operation, all to salvage their candidate in a district that voted for Trump by 22% last year,&rdquo; House Majority PAC spokesman CJ Warnke said.<\/p>\n<p>Van Epps&rsquo;s<strong> <\/strong>victory comes after heavy Republican losses in the 2025 elections in November, which saw the party lose both the Virginia and New Jersey governor&rsquo;s races. Republicans have long insisted that special elections are not indicative of performances in the midterm elections due to a historical lack of turnout in off-year contests.<\/p>\n<p>But an outright win for Democrats would have <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3902945\/four-questions-awaiting-answer-tennessee-special-election\/\">fueled the party&rsquo;s <\/a>momentum even more heading into 2026, when Democrats hope to narrow the Republicans&rsquo; already razor-thin majority in the House.<\/p>\n<p>Currently, the House majority sits at 219 Republicans to 213 Democrats, so Johnson can only afford to lose two GOP votes to still pass legislation along party lines.&nbsp;With Van Epps&rsquo;s win, the margin stays the same &mdash; giving Johnson some grace heading into the new year, especially with a Jan. 31 funding deadline right around the corner.<\/p>\n<p>Prior to the election, national support from both parties flooded the scene. The election has brought in millions of dollars in spending from outside groups,&nbsp;with nearly $4 million being spent since the primaries. Approximately $2.5 million came from Republicans and allied groups.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3902945\/four-questions-awaiting-answer-tennessee-special-election\/\"><strong>FOUR QUESTIONS WAITING TO BE ANSWERED IN TENNESSEE RACE BETWEEN MATT VAN EPPS AND AFTYN BEHN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Behn was hoping to ride a blue wave that came from the Democrats&rsquo; victories in New York City, Virginia, and New Jersey. The three Democratic candidates, two centrist and one progressive, all focused heavily on affordability &mdash; a move that paid off for them as the economy sharpens into the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >top issue facing voters heading<\/a> into 2026.<\/p>\n<p>But Green won his seat with 59.5% of the vote and Trump carried the seat by over 20 points in 2024, so Behn faced an uphill battle to victory.<\/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>Republican Matt Van Epps wins Tennessee special election, blocking Democratic upset<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2648,"featured_media":2516801,"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\/12\/AP25335482312884_ddcab8.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[68112,3911,6651],"class_list":["post-2516800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-matt-van-epps","tag-republican","tag-tennessee"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25335482312884_ddcab8.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2516800","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\/2648"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2516800"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2516800\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2516804,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2516800\/revisions\/2516804"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2516801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2516800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2516800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2516800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}