A congressional district that Republicans and President Donald Trump have long dominated suddenly became the center of national political attention on Monday, with both parties flooding Tennessee’s 7th District in a frantic final push before Tuesday’s special election.
According to The Associated Press, House Speaker Mike Johnson headlined rallies across the district, while former Vice President Al Gore and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez urged supporters online to help Democrat Aftyn Behn pull off what would be one of the biggest upsets of the election cycle.
Trump personally phoned in twice to boost the Republican nominee Matt Van Epps.
During an afternoon rally inside a decorated garage on a Franklin farm, Johnson held his phone to the microphone as Trump praised Van Epps and blasted Behn.
Hours later, Trump delivered more encouragement during a virtual event — his second tele-rally for Van Epps since mid-November.
“The whole world is watching Tennessee right now,” Trump told supporters. “It’s a big vote, and it’s gonna show something. And it’s gonna show that the Republican Party is stronger than it’s ever been.”
The last-minute surge reflects a sudden urgency for Republicans, who are eager to rebound from disappointing results elsewhere.
The seat, covering 14 counties, was redrawn in 2022 to dilute Nashville’s influence and has consistently voted Republican by landslide margins. Trump and former GOP Rep. Mark Green each won the district by more than 20 points last cycle.
But Democrats see an opening — or at least an opportunity to show momentum heading into next year’s midterms. Behn, a progressive community organizer who calls herself a “pissed-off social worker,” campaigned aggressively through the weekend alongside Gore and Ocasio-Cortez.
Gore, a Tennessee native, told supporters that families are being squeezed by rising costs for groceries and health care.
He accused Trump of overseeing “by far, the most corrupt administration in history,” claiming congressional allies had enabled it.
“I have never seen the political tides shift as far and as fast as we’re seeing them move in this election,” he said.
Republicans, meanwhile, continued to emphasize turnout concerns. Early voting spanned Thanksgiving week, and Election Day falls just after the holiday weekend.
Van Epps — a former Army helicopter pilot and state general services commissioner — received backing from GOP leaders, including Gov. Bill Lee and Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty.
Both campaigns leaned into contrasting visions for the district. Behn has criticized Trump’s tariffs and tax cuts, while Van Epps supports both policies.
Republicans have highlighted Behn’s past comments, including calling herself a “radical” and describing instances where she said she “bullied” immigration agents. She has brushed off those attacks, saying voters care far more about rising costs and access to health care.
At a Monday event, Behn said the negative ads prove her opponents “don’t have a plan to address the rising cost of health care.”
Voters across the district echoed those divides. One Behn supporter, Jalen Smalls, said he wants leaders to focus on schools, hospitals, feeding children, and fixing roads. By contrast, Van Epps voter John Rowenczak said his biggest concern is illegal immigration.
“I feel like Trump is doing a good job,” Rowenczak said. “We want to continue the Trump agenda in this district.”
The race has drawn millions in outside spending. The House Majority PAC put $1 million behind Behn, while the Trump-aligned MAGA Inc. super PAC spent more than $1 million supporting Van Epps.
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries predicted the mere competitiveness of the race was telling.
“Republicans have already lost,” Jeffries said. “The fact that they are spending millions of dollars to hold a seat that Donald Trump just won by 22 points is extraordinary.”
