Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/live-results-tennessee-7th-congressional-district-special-election Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Live Results: Tennessee 7th Congressional District special election Politics Updated on Dec 2, 2025 9:59 PM EST — Published on Dec 2, 2025 11:32 AM EST Republican Matt Van Epps has won a nationally watched special election in Tennessee for a seat in the U.S. House, maintaining his party's grip on the district with help from President Trump. A military veteran and former state general services commissioner from Nashville, Van Epps defeated Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn to represent the 7th Congressional District. READ MORE: Republican Matt Van Epps wins House special election in Tennessee Van Epps benefited from more than $1 million in spending from MAGA Inc. It was the first time the Trump-supporting super PAC spent money on a campaign since last year's presidential race, a reflection of the special election's outsize importance. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. House Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP chair Joe Gruters rallied supporters in Tennessee on Monday. Trump addressed a crowd at a rally in the state by phone and later in the day held a tele-rally for Van Epps, his second of the general election. READ MORE: 3 reasons to watch Tennessee's special election Republicans entered Election Day hoping to scuttle Democratic claims that even red districts are now in play as Trump struggles with low approval ratings and persistent economic dissatisfaction. -- The Associated Press A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now
Republican Matt Van Epps has won a nationally watched special election in Tennessee for a seat in the U.S. House, maintaining his party's grip on the district with help from President Trump. A military veteran and former state general services commissioner from Nashville, Van Epps defeated Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn to represent the 7th Congressional District. READ MORE: Republican Matt Van Epps wins House special election in Tennessee Van Epps benefited from more than $1 million in spending from MAGA Inc. It was the first time the Trump-supporting super PAC spent money on a campaign since last year's presidential race, a reflection of the special election's outsize importance. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. House Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP chair Joe Gruters rallied supporters in Tennessee on Monday. Trump addressed a crowd at a rally in the state by phone and later in the day held a tele-rally for Van Epps, his second of the general election. READ MORE: 3 reasons to watch Tennessee's special election Republicans entered Election Day hoping to scuttle Democratic claims that even red districts are now in play as Trump struggles with low approval ratings and persistent economic dissatisfaction. -- The Associated Press A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now