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Kamala Harris Campaigns in Tennessee Special Election for GOP-Held Seat

2025-11-19

The BareStory

Former Vice President Kamala Harris appeared at a canvassing event in Nashville on Tuesday for Democratic congressional candidate Aftyn Behn. The appearance marked Harris’s first time campaigning for a candidate since the 2024 presidential election. Behn is running against Republican Matt Van Epps in a December 2 special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, a seat vacated by former Republican Representative Mark Green.

Behn is a state representative and activist who has been called the "AOC of Tennessee." One report noted she is backed by the Knoxville chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, while another stated her campaign website describes her as a "p---ed off social worker." Behn’s past writings have also drawn attention, with one report detailing a 2019 op-ed in which she allegedly called Tennessee a "racist state." Her opponent, Van Epps, is a former state commissioner who has secured endorsements from President Donald Trump, Governor Bill Lee, and his predecessor, according to one account.

The race has attracted national party and political group involvement. A spokesperson for MAGA Inc. announced a seven-figure ad campaign to support Van Epps, while an RNC spokeswoman confirmed a six-figure investment and predicted a Republican victory. The 7th District, which includes parts of Nashville, is a Republican stronghold that President Trump won by approximately 22 points in the last election. A Democrat has not been elected to represent the district in decades.

Left Perspective

  • Aftyn Behn has attracted national-level support from the Democratic party.
  • Behn is running on a platform as a progressive activist.
  • The campaign faces a significant electoral challenge in a conservative district.

Right Perspective

  • Matt Van Epps has secured endorsements from top Republican leaders.
  • The campaign is receiving substantial financial investment from national party groups.
  • The campaign can contrast its candidate with his opponent's past statements.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• The election serves as a test for national party strategies in a heavily Republican district, which could influence future campaign tactics across the U.S.

• High-level campaign spending from national groups in this single race may indicate future financial priorities and investment strategies for both major political parties.

• The result may offer insight into whether a progressive Democratic platform can gain traction in historically conservative areas, potentially shaping future candidate recruitment.

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