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Past Social Media Posts on Policing Become Focus in Tennessee Special Election

2025-11-25

The BareStory

Past social media posts by Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn regarding law enforcement have become a central issue in the special election for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District. Behn, a sitting state legislator, is running against Republican Matt Van Epps in the election scheduled for December 2. The race is to fill the seat vacated by Republican Representative Mark Green, who resigned from Congress earlier this year.

The controversy stems from since-deleted social media posts Behn made in 2020. The posts reportedly included a call to dissolve the Nashville Police Department and a reference to a poll finding that 54% of Americans believed burning down a police station was justified.

When questioned about the posts in a recent interview, Behn called the line of questioning a "cable news talking point" and declined to engage further. According to one account, she also said she did not remember the tweets. Her opponent, Matt Van Epps, stated Behn's rhetoric was "unacceptable and disqualifying." Van Epps, a combat veteran, has also accused Behn of harassing ICE and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The race has attracted national attention, with Democrats reportedly investing over $1 million to support Behn, who recently campaigned with Vice President Kamala Harris. Van Epps has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, and a political group that supported Trump's 2024 campaign is running advertisements in his favor.

Left Perspective

  • The focus on past social media posts is a political distraction.
  • The candidate is a sitting legislator with significant party backing.
  • The election is to fill a seat vacated by the opposing party.

Right Perspective

  • The opponent's past rhetoric on law enforcement is disqualifying.
  • The candidate has accused his opponent of harassing law enforcement agencies.
  • The candidate has secured high-profile endorsements from party leadership.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• The election outcome may affect future federal legislation and funding for law enforcement, based on the winner's differing views on policing.

• This nationally watched race may signal how voters respond to candidates with controversial pasts on policing, influencing future campaign strategies.

• The result could show the influence high-profile endorsements from figures like Vice President Harris and former President Trump have in contested elections.

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