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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Republican Triumphs in Tennessee Special House Election

Behn lost to Van Epps after a campaign that drew attention to her past remarks and online posts.

Republican Triumphs in Tennessee Special House Election
Image · The Daily Signal

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Outlet credibilityThe Daily Signal59/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026
tl;dr

Matt Van Epps won Tennessee’s special House election, defeating Democrat Aftyn Behn by about nine percentage points with 95% of the vote counted. The race drew national attention as Republicans sought to hold a district President Donald Trump had won by 22 points in 2024.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Aftyn Behn D · TN
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

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

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Aftyn Behn
D · TN

Democratic candidate who lost the special House election

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who campaigned for Van Epps and criticized Behn

Trump's version of this story ↗
Matt Van Epps
R · TN-7

Republican candidate who won the special House election

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

Former representative whose resignation left the seat vacant

Tim Burchett
R · TN-2

Tennessee representative who rallied for Van Epps

Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

House Speaker who campaigned with Van Epps

Andrew Ogles
R · TN-5

Tennessee representative who rallied for Van Epps

Bill Hagerty
R · TN · SEN

Tennessee senator who rallied for Van Epps

Marsha Blackburn
R · TN · SEN

Tennessee senator who rallied for Van Epps

House Minority Leader who commented on the race’s implications for Republicans

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