(The Center Square) – One Republican candidate said he is no longer in the race for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District seat after an endorsement by President Donald Trump just days before the election.
State Rep. Lee Reeves, R- ranklin, said President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Matt Van Epps, the former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, changed the race.
Voters go to the polls on Tuesday to decide the Democratic and Republican candidates for the post. Republican Rep. Mark Green, winner of four consecutive elections to the U.S. House of Representatives each by 21% or more, resigned in July.
“President Trump is our quarterback, leading the charge to restore America’s strength, security and values,” Reeves said in a statement on his campaign website. “I’m ready to run the route, take the handoff, or set the block – whatever it takes to advance the conservative principles that have made our district, our state, and our country strong. That’s precisely what I’ve done in the Tennessee House, and I’ll bring that same fight to Washington.”
Van Epps is endorsed by U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, in addition to Trump. The second-term Republican president, on social media, cited Van Epps’ military education and career, saying he would “ensure peace through strength.”
Trump further said Van Epps is supportive of his administration’s priorities with regard to America’s borders, public safety, economy, tax rates, workforce, education, energy policy and Second Amendment rights.
Republican Gov. Bill Lee and Green also endorse Van Epps.
Other Republican candidates are Jody Barrett, state Rep. Gino Bulso, Stuart Cooper, Adolph Agbeko Dagan, Mason Foley, Jason Knight, Joe Leurs, Stewart Parks and Lee Reeves.
State Reps. Vincent Dixie, Bo Mitchell, Aftyn Behn and Nashville businessman Darden Hunter Copeland are vying for the Democratic nomination.
Four people are running as independent candidates: Teresa “Terri” Christie, Bobby Dodge, Robert James Sutherby and Jon Thorp.
Early voting ended Thursday with more than 36,000 residents casting ballots, including 18,203 Republicans and 17,825 Democrats. Republicans outnumbered Democrats in every county except Davidson County, the district’s largest.
