Trump-backed Republican Matt Van Epps wins US House special election in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican Matt Van Epps won a nationally watched special election in Tennessee for a U.S. House seat Tuesday, maintaining his party’s grip on the conservative district with help from President Donald Trump. But the comparatively slim margin of victory fueled Democratic hopes for next year’s midterms as the party grasps for a path back to power in Washington.

A military veteran and former state general services commissioner from Nashville, Van Epps defeated Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn to represent the 7th Congressional District.

With 99% of votes counted, Van Epps’ lead was around 9 percentage points. The previous Republican who held the seat won by 21 points last year, and Trump carried the district by 22 points.

Behn, who ran as an unapologetic progressive, ran up a huge margin in Davidson County, which is the most Democratic county in the district and home to Nashville. But Van Epps carried the rest of the district, including many deep-red counties throughout central Tennessee, as he tied himself tightly to Trump.

“Politicians who run from the president or abandon the common-sense policies that the American people gave us a resounding mandate on do so at their own peril,” Van Epps said at his victory party. “No matter what the D.C. insiders or liberal media say, this is President Trump’s party. I’m proud to be a part of it and can’t wait to get to work.”

Trump congratulated Van Epps in a social media post, saying he won even though “the Radical Left Democrats threw everything at him.”

At her own campaign gathering, Behn took the stage with a burst of energy, singing Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” in a western-style rhinestoned suit. Despite falling short, Behn said the result was “the beginning of something” powerful.

She noted that Republicans redrew the district three years ago to make it harder for Democrats to win, and “nobody in Washington believed we could get even this close.”

“Tonight isn’t the end. It is the beginning of a next chapter of Tennessee and American politics — one of possibility, one of power and one of progress for the people that we love,” Behn said.

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said Republicans should be “shaking in their boots” ahead of the midterms, which will determine control of Congress.

“What happened tonight in Tennessee makes it clear: Democrats are on offense and Republicans are on the ropes,” Martin said in a statement.

Van Epps benefited from nearly $1.7 million in spending from MAGA Inc., according to a memo from the Trump-aligned group, with nearly half going toward digital advertising targeting people streaming video online. It was the first time the organization spent money on a campaign since last year’s presidential race, a reflection of the special election’s outsize importance.

House Speaker Mike Johnson and national Republican chair Joe Gruters rallied supporters in Tennessee on Monday. Trump addressed a crowd at a rally in the state by phone and later in the day held a tele-rally for Van Epps, his second of the general election.

Chip Saltsman, a political strategist and former Tennessee state party chair, said Republicans were slow to organize after a competitive primary.

“In Tennessee, it’s been a long time since we thought about beating Democrats,” Saltsman said. “It’s been a lot more important to beat Republicans in a primary.”

“This time,” he added, “we had to pay attention.”

Republican leaders had hoped for a convincing victory to scuttle Democratic claims that even red districts are now in play as Trump struggles with low approval ratings and persistent economic dissatisfaction. In addition, Democrats recently won by wide margins in New Jersey, Virginia and elsewhere.

Behn had national support of her own, and the House Majority PAC put $1 million behind her. Party chair Ken Martin visited to campaign for Behn, and former Vice President Kamala Harris participated in a canvassing kickoff while in Nashville on a book tour. Former Vice President Al Gore and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez headlined a virtual rally for her Monday night.

Republican state lawmakers redrew the 7th District and two others in 2022 to help prevent liberal-voting Nashville from electing another Democrat to Congress. Only about 1 in 5 voters in the district, which spans 14 counties, are in the city.

The seat was vacated when Republican former Rep. Mark Green, retired this summer. The single-race election came at an odd time to be casting ballots, with early voting ending the day before Thanksgiving and Election Day the following Tuesday.

Van Epps aligned with the president as closely as possible, telling him during the November tele-rally, “I will have your back 100%.” He won a crowded primary by a wide margin in October with a late endorsement from Trump.

Behn focused her campaign on fiery criticisms of economic policies that she said prioritize wealthy people and corporations, including Trump’s tariffs and budget and spending law, both of which Van Epps supports.

But Republicans created a steady drumbeat of Behn’s own words used against her in television advertising, such as when she described herself as a “radical” and made harsh remarks about Nashville and its tourist draws.

Trump supporter Anthony Bordonaro, 37, said Tuesday that he wants the president’s policies to move forward but pointed to those anti-Nashville comments as extra motivation to vote for Van Epps.

“I just didn’t really like what I was hearing about the other candidate not liking Nashville,” he said.

Associated Press writers Travis Loller in Nashville and Meg Kinnard, in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed.

Republican candidate Matt Van Epps comes out with wife Meg Van Epps, left, at a watch party to announce victory in a special election for the U.S. seventh congressional district, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Republican candidate Matt Van Epps interacts with supporters at a watch party after announcing victory in a special election for the U.S. seventh congressional district, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Democratic candidate State Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, center right, hugs Zulfat Suara, center left, after losing a special election for the U.S. seventh congressional district Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Republican candidate Matt Van Epps waves to supporters at a watch party after announcing victory in a special election for the U.S. seventh congressional district, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Republican candidate Matt Van Epps speaks to supporters at a watch party after announcing victory in a special election for the U.S. seventh congressional district, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Cindy Perry, left, and Perry Keenan celebrate a county being called during an election night watch party for Republican candidate Matt Van Epps who is running in a special election for U.S. seventh congressional district seat, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Carson Baddeley and other supporters gather for an election night watch party for Republican candidate Matt Van Epps who is running in a special election for U.S. seventh congressional district seat, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Supporters of Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn watch results at an election night party for the special election of the U.S. seventh congressional district, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Republican U.S Congressional candidate for the seventh district Matt Van Epps goes to shake hands as he comes out to applause during a rally Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Franklin, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Republican U.S Congressional candidate for the seventh district Matt Van Epps addresses the media as he stands next to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson during a rally Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Franklin, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

FILE - This combination image shows Aftyn Behn, left, Nov. 13, 2025, Nashville, Tenn. and Matt Van Epps, Nov. 12, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, file)

DENVER (AP) — Marcus Pettersson scored with 5:39 remaining, Brock Boeser had a hat trick and the last-place Vancouver Canucks blew a four-goal lead before beating the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche 8-6 on Wednesday night.

The Canucks, who entered the game 58 points behind the Avalanche, scored in all sorts of ways, including 29 seconds into the game, short-handed, on the power play and into an empty net to snap a six-game slide.

They led 6-2 in the second only to see Colorado tie it up with 6:02 left. Just 23 seconds later, Pettersson knocked in his first goal since November. Boeser sealed it by lining the puck down the ice and into an empty net.

Teddy Blueger scored twice, while Max Sasson and Jake DeBrusk also added goals to spoil a night in which Nathan MacKinnon became the first player this season to reach 50 goals. Vancouver took advantage of the Avalanche juggling their defensive pairings with Cale Makar sidelined by an upper-body injury.

Kevin Lankinen made 24 saves.

Sam Malinski scored twice, while Gabriel Landeskog, Parker Kelly and Brent Burns also scored. MacKinnon notched his second 50-goal campaign of his career with his score early in the first.

Colorado goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood was pulled with 4:39 left in the second after allowing six goals on 19 shots. Scott Wedgewood stopped five shots in relief.

The Avalanche were rolling after a 9-2 win over Calgary on Monday.

Before fans had a chance to settle into their seats, the Canucks were up 1-0. Sasson's goal 29 seconds into the game was the fastest by the Canucks since Oct. 22, 2024 (21 seconds).

Burns had a goal and an assist as he played in his 999th straight game. The all-time Ironman streak belongs to Phil Kessel, who skated in 1,064 consecutive games.

Canucks: At Minnesota on Thursday.

Avalanche: At Dallas on Saturday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Vancouver Canucks center Teddy Blueger, front, scores a goal past Colorado Avalanche goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon reacts after scoring his 50th goal of the season in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Vancouver Canucks right wing Brock Boeser, left, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta defends in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Vancouver Canucks center Linus Karlsson, left, congratulates center Max Sasson after his goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)