Early voting is underway in the Dec. 2 special election for Tennessee’s open House seat: Democratic candidate Aftin Behn vs. Republican candidate Matt Van Epps.
A special election will be held in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District on December 2nd.
The special election will determine whether Democrat Aftin Behn or Republican Matt Van Epps will fill the seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Mark Green.
Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris stopped by Nashville to encourage voters to go to the polls to support Tennessee Congressman Aftin Behn, the Democratic candidate for the vacant seat.
“Thank you for being active. This is about you. This is about your future. This is about your country. This is about your people. And who owns the power?” Democratic 2024 presidential candidate Harris said.
“People!” the crowd shouted.
Early voting is underway in 14 counties for the special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. Voting day is December 2nd. Vane will face Republican candidate Matt Van Epps and three independent candidates for the seat vacated when Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Green resigned in July to take a job in the private sector.
Harris launched a door-knocking campaign organized by the Tennessee Democratic Party and the Davidson County Democratic Party that drew more than 200 people to North Nashville’s Hadley Park Pavilion on the afternoon of Nov. 18.
Her in-person visit could be seen as a response to the teletown hall held by President Donald Trump last week to drum up votes for Van Epps.
“If the president of the United States has to have a hard time choosing a candidate in Tennessee, that should show that the Democratic candidates have momentum and a chance,” said Tennessee Democratic Party Chairwoman Rachel Campbell. “We’re going to bring Democrats to Congress from Tennessee and show the country what happens when you organize in the South.”
Energy on the left continues to build around the special election, with high-profile Democrats joining Behn in hopes of winning votes, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas, Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin, and former Democratic National Committee vice-chairman and progressive David Hogg.
Winning seats is a daunting task. Mark Greene was reelected to a fourth term last November by a 22-point margin, and President Donald Trump won most of the district’s counties by either 3-4 or 4-1.
But special elections can be unpredictable, and Democrats hope to capitalize on the strong grassroots movement and high turnout in the last Congressional elections this year.
Van Epps said he is not worried about the outlook in the race, but the team continues to work hard. However, the national Republican Party is making significant moves that are unusual in safe Republican districts.
“This is a seat won by Mr. Trump and will be won by Republicans on December 2nd,” Republican National Committee spokeswoman Delaney Bomer said. “If Democrats want to funnel money to AOC in Tennessee, a candidate who supports tax increases and taxpayer-funded trans surgery, that’s on them.”
Then, on Nov. 18, Ms. Harris gathered a sold-out crowd of more than 2,300 people in Nashville to promote her new book, “107 Days,” chronicling her experiences during her 107-day presidential campaign against Mr. Trump.
The hour-long event, moderated by political commentator Tim Miller, didn’t have the feel of a typical author’s talk. Harris did not read excerpts or delve into the writing process. Instead, the night had the energy of a political rally.
“It’s been a crazy day in Washington,” Miller said. “Can we talk about that for a second?”
“I’m hanging out in Nashville,” Harris replied. “This is a good place these days.”
Harris was last in Tennessee in 2023 following expulsion hearings for three Democratic state senators.
Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. please contact her vjones@tennessean.com.
