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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Poll shows Republican Van Epps holding slight lead over Democrat Behn in Tennessee's special congressional race

A poll ahead of the special election puts Van Epps narrowly ahead of Aftyn Behn.

Poll shows Republican Van Epps holding slight lead over Democrat Behn in Tennessee's special congressional race
Image · Wsmv

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This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026
Wsmv
Dec 1, 2025
tl;dr

A poll ahead of Tennessee’s Dec. 2 special election shows Republican Matt Van Epps leading Democrat Aftyn Behn by 48% to 46%, with turnout likely to matter in the contest for the 7th District House seat.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
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Matt Van Epps R · TN-7
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Van Epps in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Van Epps’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Matt Van Epps
R · TN-7

Republican candidate in the special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Aftyn Behn
D · TN

Democratic candidate in the special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District

Behn's version of this story ↗

Independent candidate listed in the 7th District special election

Mark E. Green
Former U.S. Representative (R-TN)

Former representative whose departure created the vacancy

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President mentioned as one of those who urged Mark Green to reconsider retirement

Independent candidate listed in the 7th District special election

ALSO MENTIONED  Bill Lee, Tennessee governor who issued the writs of election; Bobby Dodge, Independent candidate listed in the 7th District special election; Teresa “Terri” Christie, Independent candidate listed in the 7th District special election; Tre Hargett, Tennessee secretary of state whose office reported early-voting totals

Part of a bigger story

8 OUTLETS
Poll Shows Matt Van Epps Leading in Tennessee Special Election

Outlets agree that a poll found Democrat Aftyn Behn and Republican Matt Van Epps in a close race for Tennessee’s 7th District special election. Left-leaning outlets treat the closeness as a sign of Republican vulnerability and connect the race to Trump’s influence. Center outlets frame it as a test of Democratic momentum, with polling and turnout context. Right-leaning outlets stress a possible upset and implications for Republicans, while some also foreground criticism of Behn.

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