Republicans snapped a streak of recent losses Tuesday, holding the line in Tennessee as voters selected Matt Van Epps to represent the state’s 7th Congressional District.
Van Epps, a military veteran and former state general services commissioner, defeated Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn in a contest that drew oversized national attention and heavy intervention from the top of the GOP ticket.
The race effectively became a proxy war for momentum heading into next year’s midterms. While early returns showed a tight contest, Van Epps ultimately secured the victory, maintaining the party’s grip on the reliably conservative district vacated by former Rep. Mark Green earlier this year.
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Signaling the race’s critical nature, MAGA Inc. poured more than $1 million into the district—the super PAC’s first significant expenditure since the presidential election.
The full weight of the party establishment descended on the district in the final stretch to ensure the win. House Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP Chair Joe Gruters rallied on the ground Monday, while President Donald Trump worked the phones, addressing supporters via audio and holding a tele-rally for Van Epps—his second of the general election cycle.
Residents were inundated with flyers and advertisements in recent weeks as spending surged unexpectedly. For Republicans, the heavy investment paid off, halting a narrative of recent electoral stumbles and solidifying their footing in the Volunteer State.
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