By Jesus Mesa and Leonardo FeldmanShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberIn the final hours before Tennessee’s high-stakes special congressional election, Democrat Aftyn Behn is pushing back against President Donald Trump, calling his rhetoric a sign of panic.
“President Trump is saying all these things because he doesn’t have a plan to address the rising cost of health care and to ensure that working Tennesseans are able to afford health care, groceries and utilities,” Behn told Newsweek in an exclusive interview on Monday.
The state representative from Nashville has emerged as a surprise contender in the 7th Congressional District, where Republicans have long held control. Her campaign has gained traction in recent days, drawing national attention and a direct attack from Trump, who used his Truth Social platform Sunday to promote Republican Matt Van Epps and disparage Behn.
In his post, Trump accused Behn of being a radical who “hates Christianity, will take away your guns, wants Open Borders, Transgender for everybody, men in women’s sports, and openly disdains Country music.” He added, “She said all of these things precisely, and without question — IT’S ON TAPE!”
...Behn rejected the accusations, pointing to her record and community involvement. “These comments were mischaracterized and taken out of context,” she said, referring to remarks she made years earlier about Nashville. “It was a time when I was discussing why I decided to get involved in local elections… I’m a state representative that represents downtown Nashville, and I couldn’t think of a greater honor than representing the city that I love.”
Against the Odds
While the district has leaned red for more than a decade, Behn says economic discontent and frustration with GOP leadership has energized her campaign.
“We had a day of action that featured over 600 volunteers knocking over 13,000 doors,” she said. “The momentum is on our side.”
Though Trump endorsed Van Epps, he has not actively campaigned in the state.
“Nothing really shocks me anymore in the year 2025,” Behn said. “But I will say that Trump and his billionaire friends are spending millions of dollars in a race that they should have won handily.”
The 7th District’s political landscape shifted after Tennessee Republicans redrew the state’s congressional maps in 2022, dividing Nashville’s Democratic-leaning Davidson County into three Republican-friendly districts.
...Former Representative Mark Green won under both the old and new boundaries. Before redistricting, he received between 67 and 70 percent of the vote. After the changes, his margin narrowed to 60 percent in both 2022 and 2024.
Trump also won the district in 2024 with 60 percent of the vote, compared to 38 percent for then Vice President Kamala Harris. In the Davidson County portion, Harris received nearly 68 percent, accounting for about 22 percent of total ballots cast. Trump carried each of the other 13 counties with at least 59 percent.
Behn believes the race is not a referendum on Trump, but rather a reflection of voter frustration over rising costs and economic strain.
“If you are upset about the cost of living and the chaos of Washington, then I’m your candidate and we welcome you with open arms,” she said.
She also stressed the importance of Black voter turnout.
“If I win tomorrow,” she said, “it will be due to Black voters turning out across the district—and what a message to send to Washington.”
Despite the upstart campaign, political analysts have suggested Van Epps will win the election.
The Cook Political Report classifies the race as "Likely Republican." Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated the race as "Likely Republican" and Inside Elections classifies the seat as "lean Republican."
Tuesday’s election is the fifth special contest this year to fill a vacant U.S. House seat. Another will be decided in a January 31 runoff in a Democratic district near Houston. A vacancy in northern New Jersey, formerly held by Democratic Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, will be filled in April.
Republicans currently hold a narrow 219-213 majority in the lower chamber.
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