Republicans breathed a collective sigh of relief Tuesday night as Matt Van Epps was projected the winner in Tennessee’s special election to fill the 7th Congressional District seat, a necessary hold after Mark Green’s resignation this year. The Associated Press called the race for Van Epps, a decorated Army veteran, in a contest that was watched closely by both parties as a bellwether for 2026.
This wasn’t a routine victory; Van Epps ran on a platform of law and order, lower costs, and strong support for the America First agenda, and he drew heavy backing from President Trump and allied outside groups during the campaign. National GOP forces poured resources into the district because the stakes are real — the House majority is razor-thin and every seat matters in the fight to stop radical Democrat policies from sweeping the country.
Make no mistake: Democrats poured in money, celebrity recruits, and a full-court press effort to turn this deep-red district into an upset, and they made the race far closer than anyone comfortable with surrendering the country should like. The Washington Post and other outlets noted the tightening margins, particularly in Nashville’s urban precincts, underscoring that left-wing energy and messaging on affordability can make even safe seats competitive if conservatives don’t turn out.
Van Epps’ victory preserves a fragile GOP majority in the House and hands conservatives a much-needed win ahead of a pivotal midterm cycle. Special elections are messy and unpredictable, but holding this seat shows that conservative messaging still resonates when it’s about pocketbook issues, national security, and defending traditional values.
This was a campaign about character and convictions versus woke dogma, and Van Epps proved that a strong military record, a clear conservative record, and grassroots turnout can beat leftist flash and celebrity endorsements. If Republicans learn anything from this race, it’s that candidates who actually talk about the problems families face — soaring costs, open borders, and chaotic schools — will win when the base is energized and leaders stop taking wins for granted.
Democrats will spin the close margin as momentum, but the truth is simple: urban liberalism doesn’t get to dictate policy to the rest of the country, and Tennesseans rejected the extremes. Aftyn Behn ran as a nationalized, progressive candidate, and while she energized parts of Nashville, voters across the district sided with a conservative who can defend their values in Washington.
Conservative leaders on the airwaves and across the country — including voices on Hannity’s program — rightly stressed that tonight’s result is a wake-up call and a roadmap. Win or lose, these special elections demand action: better candidates, relentless turnout operations, and a refusal to cede cultural ground to a party that wants to remake America in a radical image. The Van Epps victory is a victory for common sense, and now Republicans must build on it or risk giving the left another opening in 2026.
