"This race was bigger than just one campaign, Van Epps said in a statement. It represented a defining moment for Tennessee and for the direction of the country. Van Epps argued that his victory served as a sign that conservative voters remained supportive of Donald Trump's leadership. Trump campaigned virtually on Van Epps's behalf in the closing days of the race. Running from Trump is how you lose. Running with Trump is how you win, Van Epps said."
"Tennessee's seventh congressional district is normally reliable Republican territory. Donald Trump carried the district by 15 points in 2020 and 22 points in 2024. But special elections can be unpredictable, and polling placed Behn within a few points of Van Epps in recent days. Richard Hudson, National Republican Congressional Committee chair, congratulated Van Epps in a statement, saying:No one is better positioned to take up the mantle and deliver results for Tennessee families, workers, and small business owners."
Republican Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn in a special congressional election in the western Nashville suburbs, winning approximately 52% to 46%. President Trump campaigned virtually for Van Epps, and Van Epps framed the victory as proof of continued conservative and Trump-aligned support, pledging to be "all-in" with Trump in Congress. The district is normally solidly Republican, with Trump carrying it by 15 points in 2020 and 22 points in 2024, but recent polling showed Behn within a few points, making her performance notable. Republican and Democratic leaders offered contrasting interpretations of the result ahead of next year’s midterms.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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