Matt Van Epps Wins Tennessee 7th District Election Despite Thin Margin

NASHVILLE – In a surprising twist, Matt Van Epps defeated Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn in yesterday’s special election for the U.S. House seat representing Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District.

Behn gained attention during early voting recordings where she expressed strong opposition to Nashville, stating “I hate the city” and criticizing various aspects of Tennessean culture including country music and traditional values.

Van Epps highlighted his military background as a key differentiator in the campaign. He is noted as being a combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot – experience he emphasized during the election period.

While Republican voters typically outnumber Democrats in this expected-safe district, early voting data showed Behn maintaining an advantage despite her controversial remarks about Nashville’s culture.

This narrow margin marks one of the closest victories for Republicans in this deep-redistrict area.