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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Trump Panics as Democrat Close to Winning House Seat in Trump Country

Van Epps is nearly tied with Behn in the poll and has Trump’s endorsement.

Trump Panics as Democrat Close to Winning House Seat in Trump Country
Image · The New Republic

SOURCE CHECK

TAP FOR WHY
Outlet credibilityThe New Republic62/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026
tl;dr

A poll found Democrat Aftyn Behn nearly tied with Republican Matt Van Epps in Tennessee’s 7th District special election. The article describes the close race and President Trump’s last-minute endorsement of Van Epps.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
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 Tennessee’s 7th District special election

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Van Epps

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

Democratic candidate in Tennessee’s 7th District special election

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

Former representative whose resignation left the seat open

Marjorie Taylor Greene
Former U.S. Representative (R-GA)

Representative cited in a description of Republican concerns

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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