Special Election Race Is Neck and Neck in Tennessee District Long Held by Republicans

Republican Matt Van Epps has a narrow lead over Democrat Aftyn Behn in the Seventh District, with voters focused on affordability and health care.

(Left) Republican congressional candidate Matt Van Epps casts his ballot at an early voting site in the special election for the seventh district, in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 12, 2025. (Right) Democratic congressional candidate State Rep. Aftyn Behn attends a campaign event during the special election for the seventh district, in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 13, 2025. George Walker IV/AP Photo

Democrat Aftyn Behn and Republican Matt Van Epps are running neck and neck in the Dec. 2 special election for Tennessee’s Seventh Congressional District seat, according to a new poll released on Nov 26.

An Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey shows 48 percent of voters support Epps and 46 percent support Behn to succeed Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) after he retired to take a job in the private sector.  The district has been represented by Republicans since 1983.