Republican Matt Van Epps triumphed in the special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, defeating far-left Democrat Aftyn Behn by a narrower margin than usual for this traditionally strong GOP seat.

With over 95% of votes counted, Van Epps had secured approximately 54% of the vote, while Behn garnered mid-to-upper 40s. A former Army helicopter pilot and West Point graduate, Van Epps had endorsements from former President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders. His campaign focused on conservative priorities like immigration and veterans’ issues, framing the election as a referendum on Trump-era policies.

Some analysts see Behn’s performance as reflective of broader trends, such as inflation and cultural concerns, which could pose challenges for the GOP in future midterms. Other factors, such as the timing of the special election and outsider Democratic funds pouring into the race, should also be considered by guardedly optimistic but realistic Democratic activists.