Republicans Hold Tennessee Seat as Democrats Narrow Margin in High-Stakes Election

Republicans have retained a key congressional seat in Tennessee after a fiercely contested election, US media report, in a race seen as an early indicator of the national political landscape ahead of next year’s midterms.

With nearly all votes counted, Republican Matt Van Epps led Democrat Aftyn Behn by approximately nine percentage points, a slimmer margin than the 22-point cushion Republicans secured in the last election. The result ensures the GOP keeps its narrow House majority, but highlights the increasing competitiveness of traditionally safe districts.

The 7th Congressional District, which spans from the Alabama border to Kentucky and includes parts of Nashville, has not elected a Democrat in more than 40 years. The seat became vacant when Republican Mark Green resigned in July to pursue private sector work.

Van Epps, a military veteran who served nine tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, ran a campaign closely aligned with former President Donald Trump. Trump also held a virtual rally for Van Epps. After the victory, Van Epps said: “Running from Trump is how you lose, running with Trump is how you win.”

Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn, despite losing in all counties except Davidson, home to Nashville, called the campaign “the beginning of something powerful,” highlighting the narrowing gap in a historically Republican stronghold.

Senator Ted Cruz noted that the results reflected voter motivation tied to political loyalty and opposition to Trump, emphasizing that next year’s midterms would hinge on turnout. “Hate is a powerful motivator,” he said, warning Republicans not to underestimate Democratic momentum.

Both parties invested heavily, drawing top figures such as Kamala Harris and Al Gore for the Democrats, and House Speaker Mike Johnson for the GOP. Analysts noted that the tighter-than-expected result signals potential challenges for Republicans in the 2026 midterms, even in states considered solidly Trump territory.