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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Republican Matt Van Epps wins US House special election in Tennessee

Behn lost to Van Epps but ran closer than expected in the Republican-leaning district.

Republican Matt Van Epps wins US House special election in Tennessee
Image · The Guardian

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Outlet credibilityThe Guardian83/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026
Dec 2, 2025
tl;dr

Republican Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn in a Tennessee special election for the U.S. House. The result drew attention because Behn ran closer than expected in a district that had strongly backed Donald Trump.

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 defeated in the special election

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Matt Van Epps
R · TN-7

Republican winner of the special election

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

Former representative whose resignation prompted the special election

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who campaigned for and endorsed Van Epps

National Republican Congressional Committee chair who congratulated Van Epps

ALSO MENTIONED  Bill Lee, Tennessee governor who endorsed Van Epps; Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee chair commenting on Behn’s performance

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