Matt Van Epps is projected to win a crowded Republican main Tuesday within the particular election to switch a former Tennessee GOP congressman, in response to The Related Press.
Van Epps will face off in December in opposition to Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn, who’s projected to win a four-way main for the Democratic nomination.
Van Epps clinched the GOP victory following an endorsement from President Trump that got here after in-person early voting ended. Eleven Republicans had been on the poll for the seat vacated by former Rep. Mark Inexperienced, who resigned over the summer time as a consequence of “a chance within the non-public sector that was too thrilling to cross up.” Amongst them, two candidates suspended their campaigns after Mr. Trump weighed in and joined the president in endorsing Van Epps.
George Walker IV / AP
“Thanks to the individuals of Center and West Tennessee! Our Donald J. Trump-endorsed marketing campaign gained in a landslide tonight,” Van Epps stated on social media. “Now, on to December 2nd! We will win the overall and hold this seat RED!”
If Republicans maintain onto the seat, it might barely increase their margin within the U.S. Home, the place the GOP holds a single-digit majority. The final election in December may additionally gauge the recognition of Mr. Trump’s second-term agenda, particularly with Republican-leaning suburban voters within the Nashville space.
The seventh Congressional District spans 14 counties, bordering each Kentucky and Alabama. Together with components of Nashville, it contains rural areas, rich suburbs and a part of a army set up, Fort Campbell. The seat is certainly one of three districts that GOP lawmakers drew as safely crimson in 2022 by dividing left-leaning Nashville. Its voters elected Inexperienced by 21 share factors in 2024 and by almost 22 factors in 2022.
Of its 9 seats within the Home, Tennessee at the moment has one Democrat, Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis. Republican redistricting in 2022 allowed the GOP to flip one other Democratic seat that was drawn to incorporate solely a part of Nashville.
Van Epps beforehand served in a number of roles underneath Tennessee Gov. Invoice Lee. Throughout the main marketing campaign, Van Epps leaned into his army expertise, together with as a Tennessee Military Nationwide Guard lieutenant colonel and as an Military Particular Operations helicopter pilot. Among the many opponents he defeated had been state Reps. Jody Barrett and Gino Bulso.
Behn is a social employee and neighborhood organizer who has targeted on ladies’s reproductive well being rights, together with as a plaintiff in a lawsuit in opposition to a Tennessee legislation banning adults from serving to minors get an abortion with out parental permission. A choose has halted the supply’s enforcement.
Mr. Trump endorsed Van Epps in a Reality Social put up late final week that praised him as an “America First Patriot.”
“A West Level Graduate, and Fight Adorned Military Helicopter Pilot, Matt is aware of the WISDOM and COURAGE required to Defend our Nation, Help our Unbelievable Navy/Veterans, and Guarantee PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,” Mr. Trump wrote.
The nod from Mr. Trump adopted Van Epps’ prior endorsements from Lee, Inexperienced and Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio.
Outdoors teams spent greater than $3.1 million on the race, virtually all on the GOP facet, with about $1.1 million opposing Barrett.
The Republican main contenders praised Mr. Trump and expressed staunch opposition to something perceived as liberal or “woke.” In the meantime, within the Democratic main, the 4 candidates attacked the laws Mr. Trump dubbed the “One Large Lovely Invoice Act,” along with his tariffs.
