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◆ Mixed look for TrumpElections / Campaigns

Republican Matt Van Epps wins US House special election in Tennessee

Trump backed Van Epps through campaign appearances and a post congratulating him on the win.

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Outlet credibilityWDEF70/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026

Credibility rates WDEF, where this article appeared. The other scores rate the article itself.

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Dec 2, 2025
tl;dr

Republican Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District special election, keeping the seat in Republican hands. President Donald Trump’s support featured prominently in Van Epps’s campaign.

Community verdict

27 VOTES
How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States

Counts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 11

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People in this story

SWIPE →
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who campaigned for Van Epps and congratulated him after the result

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Matt Van Epps
R · TN-7

Republican winner of the Tennessee 7th Congressional District special election

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

Democratic candidate defeated in the Tennessee 7th Congressional District special election

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

Former representative whose retirement left the seat vacant

Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

Speaker of the House who rallied supporters for Van Epps

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

Former vice president who participated in a canvassing kickoff for Behn

Representative who headlined a virtual rally for Behn

ALSO MENTIONED  Al Gore, Former vice president who headlined a virtual rally for Behn; CJ Warnke, House Majority PAC communications director who commented on the result; Joe Gruters, GOP chair who rallied supporters for Van Epps; Ken Martin, Democratic national party chair who campaigned for Behn

Part of a bigger story

11 OUTLETS
Matt Van Epps Defeats Aftyn Behn in Tennessee Special Election

Matt Van Epps defeated Aftyn Behn in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District special election, and Donald Trump campaigned for Van Epps. Left-leaning outlets frame the close contest as a test of Republican strength and Trump’s influence. Center outlets report the win and Trump’s support, with several also stressing the closer-than-expected margin and its possible implications for Republicans. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Van Epps’s victory and Trump’s role in rallying Republicans, with one celebrating the result.

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