Matt Van Epps Wins 7th Congressional District Republican Primary

With polls closed in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special primaries, Matt Van Epps has won the Republican nomination. He will face off against Democratic challenger Aftyn Behn in the Dec. 2 general election for the seat vacated by former U.S. Rep. Mark Green in July.

Trump Endorses Van Epps in 7th Congressional District Race

President announces support days before Tuesday's primary election

Last week, Van Epps was endorsed by President Donald Trump and Gov. Bill Lee. Hours later, he was endorsed by fellow Republican candidate and Franklin state Rep. Lee Reeves, who suspended his campaign rather than facing off against a Trump-endorsed fellow Republican.

Van Epps, the former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, currently serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee National Guard. The U.S. Army Ranger and West Point graduate served in the same special operations regiment as former U.S. Rep. Green, who also endorsed Van Epps early in the race shortly after resigning.

Van Epps was also backed by former Gov. Bill Haslam and Nashville auto magnate Lee Beaman, and has relied heavily on support from active-duty military and veterans. He promises that his first proposed bill will aim to reduce the cost of living for veterans.

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Aftyn Behn Wins 7th Congressional District Democratic Primary

Nashville state rep emerges from crowded field to take party’s nomination for Dec. 2 special election

In a crowded Republican field, Van Epps beat out state Reps. Jody Barrett (R-Dickson) and Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood), along with roughly half a dozen other challengers. 

At a home in Burns, Tenn., second-place finisher Barrett addressed his supporters. 

"Look, I've told a lot of people this, and my campaign manager smacked me upside the head a couple of times for saying this," said Barrett Tuesday night. "I didn't really want to win this thing anyway. I never wanted to run for an office in D.C., but this was an opportunity that opened up, and a lot of people came and lifted me up and kind of pushed me to take a run at this. It was something that I felt like I was being called to do."