Republican Matt Van Epps won Tuesday’s special election for Tennessee’s 7th congressional district defeating Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn.
Both parties poured millions into what should have been a sleepy special election to replace GOP Mark Green
In 2024, Green carried the seat by 21 points while Trump won by 22. On Tuesday, Van Epps won by 9 points. But his 9-point victory is too close for comfort: suggesting a swing to Democrats nationally that could be enough to sweep away GOP control of the House come 2026. Some Democratic strategists (and neutral observers, for that matter) see it as an indication of a nascent blue wave in the 2026 midterms.