Meta Description: Hours after primaries, Aftyn Behn and Matt Van Epps gear up for a December showdown in Tennessee’s 7th District. This red seat could flip blue—here’s why America is watching. (128 characters)
In the sweltering heat of Tennessee’s political summer, the air crackled with electricity tonight as primary results poured in. Breaking just hours ago, state Rep. Aftyn Behn clinched the Democratic nomination, while Trump-endorsed veteran Matt Van Epps stormed to victory in the GOP race. Their December 2 clash for the open 7th Congressional District isn’t just a local skirmish—it’s a pulse-check on America’s divided soul, with families, veterans, and dreamers hanging in the balance.
Who Is Matt Van Epps? The Battle-Hardened Patriot Backed by Trump
Matt Van Epps isn’t your average suit in Washington. A West Point graduate and combat-decorated Army Special Operations helicopter pilot, Van Epps has stared down danger in ways most politicians only read about. As a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard, he piloted missions that demanded split-second courage, embodying the grit of Middle America’s unsung heroes.
Under Gov. Bill Lee, Van Epps rose through state ranks, heading the Department of General Services and streamlining operations for everyday Tennesseans. But it’s his fresh entry into the fray—fueled by a last-minute nod from President Donald Trump—that turned heads. Trump’s Truth Social blast called him a “WISDOM and COURAGE” leader for “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” In a field of 12 Republicans, Van Epps captured nearly 49% of the vote, a landslide that silenced doubters and sent shockwaves through Nashville’s power corridors.
For veterans like Van Epps, this isn’t abstract policy—it’s personal. “We’re going to win the general and keep this seat RED!” he posted triumphantly on social media, his words a rallying cry for those who see him as a bulwark against coastal elites. In a district hugging Fort Campbell, his story resonates like thunder in the hills.
Aftyn Behn: The Grassroots Firebrand Igniting Progressive Hope
Contrast Van Epps’ military precision with Aftyn Behn’s unyielding passion—a social worker turned state rep who’s become Tennessee’s beacon for the marginalized. Elected in a razor-thin 2023 special election, Behn, a community organizer since 2017, has channeled her Nashville roots into fierce advocacy. She’s a plaintiff in landmark lawsuits challenging abortion bans, fighting for women’s right to choose without fear.
Behn’s voice amplified after the Covenant School tragedy, pushing gun control measures in a state scarred by loss. In tonight’s four-way Democratic primary, she eked out 28%—a gritty win against well-funded centrists like businessman Darden Copeland, who poured over $125,000 into his bid. It’s her second underdog triumph in two years, proof that progressive fire can flicker even in red clay soil.
What drives Behn? Heart-wrenching stories from her clinic days, where families grappled with healthcare deserts. “This is about turning pain into power,” she might say, echoing the surge in Democratic turnout that lit up polls tonight. For young voters and working moms, she’s not just a candidate—she’s a lifeline.
The Underdog Edge: How Behn’s Narrow Win Signals a Shift
Behn didn’t dominate every county, finishing second in Nashville and Clarksville strongholds. Yet her coalition of energized progressives outmaneuvered establishment foes, a microcosm of national Democratic soul-searching. With all four Dem candidates vowing to check Trump’s agenda, her victory feels like a collective exhale—a promise that blue hope isn’t extinct in the South.
Why This Race Could Redefine Tennessee—and Washington—Forever
Tennessee’s 7th District isn’t a monolith; it’s a patchwork quilt of contrasts. Stretching across 14 counties from Nashville’s bustling suburbs to rural Alabama borders, it weaves wealthy enclaves with Fort Campbell’s military heartbeat. Redrawn in 2022 to dilute Democratic strongholds, it handed Rep. Mark Green blowout wins—21 points in 2024 alone. Green’s July resignation for private gigs left a void that’s now a national lightning rod.
Republicans cling to their 219-213 House majority like a lifeline; losing here wouldn’t flip control but would erode their edge ahead of 2026 midterms. Democrats, smelling upset potential in special election lulls, see Behn as their shot at narrowing the gap. Outside cash flooded the GOP primary—over $3.1 million, with dark money PACs dubbing Van Epps a “MAGA warrior.” Less poured into Dems, yet Behn’s grassroots magic prevailed.
Suburban Swing: Where Trump’s Grip Might Slip
Nashville’s affluent outskirts, once reliably red, buzz with unease over Trump’s second-term shadow. Van Epps’ win tests MAGA’s suburban staying power—will endorsements from Green and Jim Jordan seal loyalty, or will Behn’s calls for reproductive rights and gun reform peel away moderates? This district’s fate could forecast 2026’s suburban revolt, where barbecue chats turn to ballot worries.
The Money Trail: A Billionaire’s Playground or People’s Fight?
Independent expenditures hit $2.5 million in the GOP scrum alone, dwarfing Democratic spends. The School Freedom Fund dumped $700,000 against anti-voucher foe Jody Barrett, while Van Epps raked in Trump’s golden touch—prompting two rivals to suspend campaigns. Behn’s race? A scrappier affair, where volunteer knocks outshone ad buys.
For everyday Tennesseans—farmers eyeing crop subsidies, vets seeking VA reforms—this flood raises hackles. Is it a fair fight, or a scripted drama? As December looms, the real currency might be voter fury at big-money meddling.
Key Takeaways: Stats That Tell the Story
- Van Epps’ Landslide: Secured 49% in a 12-candidate GOP field, outpacing Jody Barrett’s 27% with 35,000 votes cast—fueled by Trump’s endorsement and $750,000 in pro-Van Epps dark money.
- Behn’s Narrow Triumph: Edged out rivals with 28% in a four-way Dem primary, boosting turnout in urban hubs like Nashville amid a national Democratic surge in specials.
- Spending Surge: Over $3.1 million in outside cash, mostly GOP-side, including $1.1 million attacking Barrett—highlighting voucher wars in education debates.
- District Dynamics: Rated “solid red” by analysts, but Dems improved margins in 2025 specials; a Behn win would shrink GOP’s House lead to 219-214.
- National Stakes: First major test of Trump’s post-primary pull; low special turnout (under 10% expected) could amplify progressive voices or entrench MAGA.
As the dust settles on this primary night, one truth cuts through: Aftyn Behn and Matt Van Epps aren’t just names on a ballot—they’re mirrors to our nation’s fractures and dreams. Van Epps vows unyielding strength for a world on edge; Behn whispers of healing in a land of hidden wounds. December 2 will decide more than a seat— it could heal or harden America’s heart. Stay tuned; the South’s roar is just beginning.
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About the Author
Elena Rivera is a veteran political reporter with over a decade covering Southern swing states for the Tennessee Tribune. A Nashville native, she thrives on stories where everyday voices clash with power—because in politics, the quietest fights often echo loudest. Follow her on X @ElenaRiveraTN for real-time dispatches.
