House Speaker Mike Johnson decided to phone a friend on Monday to rally voters behind Republican Matt Van Epps in a congressional special election in Tennessee that’s drawing outsized attention as a test of the political mood heading into next year’s midterm elections.
And it wasn’t just any friend.
At a rally in Franklin, Tennessee, Mr. Johnson held his cellphone up to the microphone so that the crowd could hear President Trump praise Mr. Van Epps; blast his Democratic rival, state lawmaker Aftyn Behn; and warn “the whole world is watching Tennessee right now.”
“She said two things above all else that bothered me,” Mr. Trump said of Ms. Behn. “Number one, she hates Christianity. Number two, she hates country music. How the hell can you elect a person like that?!”
Mr. Trump said Mr. Epps has his “total support,” predicting the former state official is “going to be a fantastic congressman and represent you so well.”
The stakes are bigger than one seat. Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District went for Mr. Trump by 60% in 2024. Still, Democrats have been racking up wins in off-year contests in Virginia, New Jersey, California and Georgia, and are hoping that an unexpected victory in Tennessee could supercharge their momentum heading into the 2026 election cycle.
Republicans are hoping that a victory there will serve as a reset as they look to carve out a winning message moving forward.
That’s why the race to replace former Republican Rep. Mark Green, who left Congress in July, is being watched so closely.
Mr. Van Epps is favored, but polls suggest the race is tighter than Republicans expected in such a red district.
Democrats have sent in reinforcements: Former Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s 2024 presidential nominee, showed up at a get-out-the-vote event for Ms. Behn, and party Chair Ken Martin has been working the ground game.
Republicans, meanwhile, are all in. Mr. Trump and Mr. Johnson are not only rallying in person but also dialing in to a tele-town hall for Mr. Van Epps.
Millions of GOP dollars have poured into the race, and more than 84,000 ballots were already cast in early voting.
