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◆ Mixed look for TrumpEconomyElections / Campaigns

GOP staves off Democratic upset during special U.S. House election in Tennessee

Trump campaigned for Van Epps and publicly celebrated his victory.

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Outlet credibilityThe Dallas Morning News79/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026

Credibility rates The Dallas Morning News, where this article appeared. The other scores rate the article itself.

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The Dallas Morning Newsoriginal publisher not identified
Dec 2, 2025
tl;dr

Republican Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn in a closely watched special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, keeping the seat in Republican hands. Van Epps campaigned with President Donald Trump’s support, while Behn’s showing was closer than the district’s recent Republican margins.

Community verdict

27 VOTES
How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States

Counts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 11

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Votes cast on this page: ▲ 0 · ◆ 0 · ▼ 0

People in this story

SWIPE →
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who campaigned for and supported Van Epps

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Matt Van Epps
R · TN-7

Republican winner of the special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District

Van Epps's version of this story ↗
Aftyn Behn
D · TN

Democratic candidate defeated in the special election

Behn's version of this story ↗
Mark E. Green
Former U.S. Representative (R-TN)

Former U.S. representative who previously held the seat

Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

Speaker of the House who rallied supporters in Tennessee

Kamala Harris
Former U.S. Senator (D-CA)

Former vice president who participated in a canvassing kickoff for Behn

U.S. representative who headlined a virtual rally for Behn

ALSO MENTIONED  Al Gore, Former vice president who headlined a virtual rally for Behn; Joe Gruters, GOP chair who rallied supporters in Tennessee; Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee chair who campaigned for Behn and commented on the result

Part of a bigger story

11 OUTLETS
Matt Van Epps Defeats Aftyn Behn in Tennessee Special Election

Matt Van Epps defeated Aftyn Behn in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District special election, and Donald Trump campaigned for Van Epps. Left-leaning outlets frame the close contest as a test of Republican strength and Trump’s influence. Center outlets report the win and Trump’s support, with several also stressing the closer-than-expected margin and its possible implications for Republicans. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Van Epps’s victory and Trump’s role in rallying Republicans, with one celebrating the result.

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