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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Trump tries to dial up Republican votes on eve of US House special election in Tennessee

Van Epps was the Republican candidate backed by Trump and other party leaders.

Trump tries to dial up Republican votes on eve of US House special election in Tennessee
Image · Winnipeg Free Press

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Outlet credibilityWinnipeg Free Press89/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026

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Winnipeg Free Pressoriginal publisher not identified
Dec 2, 2025
tl;dr

President Donald Trump called Tennessee voters to support Republican Matt Van Epps ahead of a closely watched special election, while Democrats campaigned for Aftyn Behn. The race drew national attention as both parties looked to its implications for control of Congress.

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

SWIPE →
Matt Van Epps
R · TN-7

Republican candidate in the Tennessee special election

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Aftyn Behn
D · TN

Democratic candidate in the Tennessee special election

Behn's version of this story ↗
Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

House Speaker campaigning for Van Epps

Johnson's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President campaigning for Republican candidate Matt Van Epps

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

Former Republican representative for the district

Bill Hagerty
R · TN · SEN

Tennessee senator supporting Van Epps

Marsha Blackburn
R · TN · SEN

Tennessee senator supporting Van Epps

House Minority Leader commenting on the race

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

Former vice president who rallied voters in Nashville

Representative campaigning with Behn

ALSO MENTIONED  Al Gore, Former vice president campaigning with Behn; Bill Lee, Tennessee governor supporting Van Epps; Joe Gruters, National Republican Party chairman supporting Van Epps; Ken Martin, National Democratic Party chairman who visited the district

Part of a bigger story

7 OUTLETS
Trump Urges Support for Matt Van Epps Ahead of Tennessee Special Election

Outlets agree that President Donald Trump urged Tennessee voters to support Republican Matt Van Epps before the special House election. Center outlets frame the race as competitive and politically consequential, with several including responses from Democrats or Behn. Right-leaning outlets center Trump's endorsement and turnout appeal, with some also foregrounding his attacks on Behn.

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