Matt Van Epps just clinched the Republican primary for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, riding a wave of support from none other than President Donald Trump, as the New York Post reports.
In a nutshell, Van Epps emerged victorious in a packed field of 11 GOP hopefuls vying to fill the seat left vacant by former Rep. Mark Green, who stepped down earlier this year for a private sector role.
The race for this central and western Tennessee district, stretching from Kentucky to Alabama, turned into a proving ground for loyalty to Trump’s vision for the party.
Trump’s nod came late in the game, after early voting had wrapped up, but it still packed a punch for Van Epps, a former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services.
“Matt knows the WISDOM and COURAGE required to Defend our Country, Support our Incredible Military/Veterans, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,” Trump declared in his endorsement statement. Well, that’s a glowing review, but let’s be real -- those caps lock buzzwords are classic Trump, rallying the base with promises of grit and glory.
Van Epps, for his part, didn’t shy away from the spotlight, calling Trump’s support “an incredible honor.” It’s hard to argue with that sentiment when you’ve got a political titan in your corner, though some might wonder if such late endorsements truly sway voters or just seal the deal.
The primary wasn’t just a two-man show; it featured heavyweights like state Reps. Jody Barrett, Gino Bulso, and Lee Reeves, all jockeying for the nomination in a district Trump carried by roughly 20 points in the last presidential contest.
Barrett, backed by the political arm of the House Freedom Caucus, which poured significant resources into the race, billed himself as the “most conservative state rep. in Tennessee history.” That’s a bold claim, but in a field this crowded, self-proclaimed titles might not cut through the noise when Trump’s blessing is up for grabs.
Interestingly, Lee Reeves bowed out and threw his support behind Van Epps after Trump’s endorsement dropped, showing just how much weight that nod carries in GOP circles these days.
Van Epps didn’t just have Trump in his corner; he racked up endorsements from former Rep. Mark Green, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, and Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, creating a veritable conservative dream team.
On the eve of the primary, the Club for Growth, a major conservative outfit, even co-hosted a tele-rally with Trump to boost Van Epps, proving that big money and big names were all-in on this candidate.
With a resume boasting service as a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard and a past as an Army helicopter pilot, Van Epps brings a military backbone to the race -- something that likely resonated with voters in a district known for its strong Republican leanings.
Now that the primary dust has settled, Van Epps will face off in the general election on Dec. 2 against the winner of the Democratic primary, where four contenders -- state Reps. Vincent Dixie, Aftyn Behn, Bo Mitchell, and businessman Darden Copeland battled for their party’s nod.
Given the current razor-thin Republican majority in the U.S. House at 219-213, with two vacant seats, including Tennessee’s 7th and Texas’s 18th, every race like this feels like a high-stakes chess move in the broader political game.
While the left might push their progressive agenda in the general election, Van Epps’ Trump-backed momentum and deep conservative support make him a formidable contender in a district that’s been reliably red -- let’s see if the Democrats can muster a real challenge or if this is just another notch in the GOP’s belt.
