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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

What to expect in Tennessee's special congressional election

Behn is the Democratic nominee seeking to flip the vacant Tennessee congressional seat.

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Outlet credibilityWBBJ TVNOT RATED
This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026

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347 stories · 94.5–95.2 · updated Oct 12, 2026

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WBBJ TVcites Associated Press
Dec 1, 2025
tl;dr

Republican Matt Van Epps and Democrat Aftyn Behn are competing Tuesday to fill Tennessee’s vacant 7th Congressional District seat. The preview describes the district’s Republican lean, the national attention on the race and early-voting numbers.

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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 nominee in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District special election

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Matt Van Epps
R · TN-7

Republican nominee in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District special 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

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President and Van Epps endorser who joined a tele-rally

Mikie Sherrill
Former U.S. Representative (D-NJ)

New Jersey governor-elect and former representative whose seat was recently vacated

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

Former vice president who appeared at a Nashville event encouraging turnout

Representative from New York referenced in a nickname for Behn

ALSO MENTIONED  Bill Lee, Tennessee governor under whom Van Epps led the Department of General Services

Part of a bigger story

13 OUTLETS
Aftyn Behn’s Bid for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District

Outlets agree Aftyn Behn and Republican Matt Van Epps competed in the Dec. 2 special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, with Behn as the Democratic candidate. Left-leaning outlets present Behn’s close polling as a possible upset. Center outlets treat the race mainly as a preview, with some presenting it as a test of Democratic momentum before 2026. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Behn’s past remarks, positions, or allies, with some also urging Republican turnout.

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