Matt Van Epps Declared Winner in Tennessee’s Hotly Contested Election

URGENT UPDATE: Republican Matt Van Epps has been confirmed as the winner in a highly contested special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. The race, which captivated political observers for months, was projected by Decision Desk around 9:06 p.m. Eastern Time, with Van Epps leading at approximately 53% of the vote and about 65% of districts reporting.

Shortly after, major outlets including CNN and NBC News affirmed Van Epps’ victory around 9:30 p.m. Eastern. In a celebratory post on his Truth Social platform, former President Donald Trump congratulated Van Epps, stating, “Congratulations to Matt Van Epps on his BIG Congressional WIN in the Great State of Tennessee. The Radical Left Democrats threw everything at him, including Millions of Dollars. Another great night for the Republican Party!!!”

This election was not supposed to be competitive, especially after Trump carried the district by an impressive 22 points last year. However, the landscape shifted significantly as Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn launched an aggressive campaign, creating a buzz that suggested polling margins were tightening, with some polls even indicating a near tie.

As the election drew closer, anxiety surged among Tennessee Republicans. Many feared the implications of a potential upset, remembering the significant losses in Trump’s first term. Republican Rep. Tim Burchett voiced concerns on Fox News, stating, “We’ve already got people leaving, talks of others leaving … this is the proverbial canary in the cave! If Matt Van Epps … can’t carry this thing, we’re in trouble. Republicans are asleep at the switch!”

Both parties anticipated a strong Democratic showing, even if the GOP managed to hold on. The outcomes of this race could signal crucial trends for the upcoming midterm elections as Republicans strive to maintain their majorities in both the House and Senate.

As results continue to come in, analysts will be watching closely for the broader implications of Van Epps’ victory. The stakes are high, and the political landscape in Tennessee and beyond could be shifting dramatically.