After Republican Matt Van Epps won a special congressional election in Tennessee on Tuesday against Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn, he credited his victory to a united Republican front.
In an interview on Fox News the morning after the highly anticipated election, he said he was grateful for President Trump’s early support and bringing his MAGA supporters with him, saying it “propelled us to victory.”
Mr. Van Epps won with 53.9% of the vote versus Ms. Behn’s 45.1%.
Mr. Trump won the 7th Congressional District by 22 points in 2024 and GOP Rep. Mark Green, who resigned this year, last won by 20 points.
When asked if the race felt closer than imagined, Mr. Epps said, “We love our margin of victory,” calling it a “resounding win.”
Ms. Behn told reporters after her loss, “We out-raced him, we had more volunteers, we knocked on more doors,” adding that she believes the Republican supermajority’s time is coming to an end.
Mr. Van Epps rejected this, saying that his voters chose “common-sense conservatism.”
He said his win is setting the tone for 2026, predicting a decisive victory for Republicans to keep their House majority.
As all 11 Republican primary candidates stood behind him after helping him campaign, he said the GOP is “very strong.”
“That’s the type of unity and momentum we’re taking forward to continue to win,” he said.
Mr. Trump took to Truth Social to congratulate Mr. Van Epps, dubbing it “Another great night for the Republican Party!!!”
Republicans let out a sigh of relief after Democrats prevailed in November’s elections.
“Tonight you sent a message loud and clear: The people of middle Tennessee stand with President Donald J. Trump,” Mr. Van Epps said at his election night party.
