In a another sign of a Democratic comeback after the party’s wretched 2024 performance, a left-bent special election candidate in a deep-red Tennessee congressional district threw a scare into the GOP and likely expanded next year’s midterm playing field. Democratic state legislator Aftyn Behn lost to Republican newcomer Matt Van Epps in the 7th district election to replace recently resigned GOP incumbent Mark Green in the U.S. House, but made it a close race, losing by just under eight percent in late returns. Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump in this district by 22 percent in 2024.

This wasn’t an out-of-nowhere upset bid. Polls showed a close race all along in a polyglot district that runs from Kentucky to Alabama and includes a chunk of Nashville. To defend this GOP stronghold, Re

See Full Page