(The Center Square) – Matt Van Epps cruised to victory in the Republican primary for the 7th Congressional District and Tennessee state Rep. Aftyn Behn won the Democratic nomination, setting up a Dec. 2 showdown.
The candidates are hoping to take the seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Mark Green.
Van Epps, former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, had the endorsements of two-term Republican President Donald Trump, Gov. Bill Lee and Green. He declared victory over his nine Republican challengers about an hour after the polls closed.
“Thank you to the people of middle and west Tennessee! Our Donald J. Trump-endorsed campaign won in a landslide tonight,” Van Epps’ campaign said on social media. “Now, on to December 2nd! We’re going to win the general and keep this seat red!’
Behn was in a close race with her challengers. She ultimately prevailed over state Reps. Vincent Dixie and Bo Mitchell, and Nashville businessman Darden Hunter Copeland, according to the unofficial results from the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office.
“Democrats campaigned on lowering Tennesseans’ cost of living, making everyday life more affordable, and building a future our kids can be secure in achieving,” said Rachel Campbell, chairwoman of the Tennessee Democratic Party. “Meanwhile, every Republican candidate ran to show how close they were to the lunacy we’re seeing from this White House.”
The four independent candidates awaiting Van Epps and Behn in the general election are Terri Christie, Bobby Dodge, Robert James Sutherby and Jon Thorp.
