Republican Matt Van Epps Wins Tennessee's 5th Congressional District Special Election

Republican Matt Van Epps secured victory in Tennessee's 5th Congressional District special election on December 2, 2025, defeating Democrat Aftyn Behn by a margin of 52% to 48%, with 100% of precincts reporting. Van Epps, a former Tennessee state representative and businessman, will serve the remainder of the term vacated by longtime Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper, who retired in January 2025 after 32 years in Congress.

The contest, held in a suburban Nashville district rated D+6 by the Cook Political Report, drew national attention as a test of Republican strength in a lean-blue seat that flipped Democratic in 2018. Van Epps, 42, campaigned on economic growth, border security, and veterans' support, raising $1.2 million primarily from small donors and PACs aligned with President Trump. Behn, a community organizer and activist, focused on progressive priorities like affordable housing and criminal justice reform, raising $950,000 through grassroots efforts and national Democratic support.

Turnout reached 45% of registered voters, or 150,000 ballots, up from 38% in the 2024 general election, driven by early voting that accounted for 60% of participation. The district, encompassing parts of Davidson, Williamson, and Rutherford counties, has a median household income of $85,000 and a population of 780,000, with 35% identifying as non-white. Cooper's retirement created an open seat opportunity, but Van Epps' win marks the first Republican hold since the district's 1873 creation, flipping it from its Democratic roots.

Van Epps' triumph strengthens the Republican House majority to 221-214, providing a two-seat cushion as the party defends 18 competitive districts in the 2026 midterms. The gain in a D+6 seat bolsters GOP confidence in suburban battlegrounds, where Trump's 2024 performance improved by 5 points from 2020. With redistricting complete in 10 states and primaries starting March 2026, the victory signals momentum for Republicans aiming to expand their edge amid economic headwinds and policy fights over immigration and spending. Van Epps will be sworn in on December 5, joining a freshman class focused on fiscal restraint.