Tennessee voters in the 7th Congressional District are heading to the polls for a special election that has rapidly evolved from a local contest into a national battleground, drawing in heavyweights like President Donald Trump and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
At the center of the storm is Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn, whose past remarks about Nashville have surfaced at a critical moment. In a clip circulating online, Behn is heard offering a scathing review of the district’s cultural hub.
“I’ve been heavily involved with the Nashville mayoral race because I hate the city,” Behn said in the recording. “I hate the bachelorettes. I hate the pedal taverns. I hate country music.”
READ: “I Was A Private Citizen”: Dem Aftyn Behn Parries Questions On Past ‘Hate’ For Tennessee And Cops
The comments have provided ammunition for her opponent, Republican Matt Van Epps, and his allies. With Democrats pouring millions into the race in hopes of flipping the solid red district, the GOP is looking to capitalize on the controversy to energize their base in an election season notoriously plagued by low turnout.
President Trump took to Truth Social to spotlight the remarks, framing the election as a choice between a candidate who shares the district’s values and one who rejects them.
“I am asking you to get out and vote for Matt Van Epps,” Trump wrote. “He will be a great congressman and, unlike his opponent, he cherishes Christianity and country music. She hates them both.”
Danielle Alvarez, a senior advisor for the Republican National Committee (RNC), appeared on Fox News to discuss the party’s strategy. Alvarez described Behn as a “self-loathing, self-hating Democrat” and emphasized that the election’s timing—just weeks before Christmas—makes voter mobilization the primary challenge.
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“We know that President Donald Trump is a turnout machine,” Alvarez said, confirming that Trump would be holding a tele-rally to drive voters to the polls. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders are also stepping in to support Van Epps.
While the district went for Trump by 22 points in 2024, Alvarez acknowledged the race is expected to be tighter than historical margins suggest. The GOP is leaning hard on policy contrasts to secure the win, with Alvarez pointing to Behn’s voting record in the Tennessee Assembly. She noted Behn’s opposition to tax cuts for small businesses and middle-class families, contrasting it with the President’s “affordability” agenda.
On the other side of the aisle, high-profile progressives are rallying to Behn’s defense. Reports indicate that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is set to hold tele-rallies to boost Democratic turnout, signaling the party’s investment in what is widely seen as a long-shot bid to flip the seat.
With early voting concluded, the outcome now rests on which side can better navigate the apathy of a December election. Republicans hope the combination of Trump’s influence and Behn’s “hate” for Nashville staples will be enough to keep the district ruby red.
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