The quiet hills and bustling suburbs of Tennessee’s Seventh Congressional District are anything but calm this election season. With 19 candidates throwing their hats into the ring—ranging from seasoned lawmakers to a Capitol riot participant pardoned by Donald Trump—it’s shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable special elections in decades.
Why This Tennessee Special Election Matters
When Rep. Mark Green abruptly stepped down in July 2025 to launch a private business, he left behind more than just an empty congressional seat. He triggered Tennessee’s first special congressional election in nearly 40 years—a high-stakes scramble in a district redrawn to heavily favor Republicans.
Green, who won re-election in 2024 with nearly 60% of the vote, represented a district stretching from the Kentucky border down to Alabama, including parts of Nashville. His departure set off a political free-for-all with little time for campaigning, minimal polling, and voter turnout so low during early voting that just over 36,000 ballots were cast across 14 counties by October 2.
Meet the Contenders: From Veterans to Viral Figures
The Republican side alone features nearly a dozen candidates, but one name is rising above the noise: Matt Van Epps. A former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services and Army veteran, Van Epps recently secured a coveted endorsement from former President Donald Trump—giving him a significant edge in a crowded primary.
On the Democratic side, four candidates are competing, including State Representative Bo Mitchell of Nashville. Describing the breakneck pace of the race, Mitchell told reporters, “It’s like building the airplane while in the air.”
Key Candidates at a Glance
| Candidate | Party | Background | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Van Epps | Republican | Former state agency commissioner, Army veteran | Endorsed by Donald Trump |
| Bo Mitchell | Democratic | Tennessee State Representative | Only Democrat from Nashville in the race |
| Unnamed Jan. 6 Pardonee | Republican | Former Capitol riot participant | Pardoned by Trump in 2024 |
Tennessee Congressional District 7: A Political Battleground Redrawn
Once a competitive swing district, TN-07 was reshaped during the 2020 redistricting cycle to lean strongly Republican. Despite including parts of liberal-leaning Nashville, the new boundaries stretch deep into conservative rural counties—making it a tough climb for any Democratic hopeful.
Still, with such a fragmented Republican field, analysts say there’s a slim chance for surprise outcomes, especially if the GOP primary fails to produce a clear frontrunner.
Low Turnout, High Stakes
Early voting numbers tell a troubling story: participation was shockingly low. In a district with over 700,000 residents, fewer than 40,000 voted early—a turnout rate below 5%. Political scientists warn this could signal voter fatigue or confusion due to the compressed timeline.
“Special elections are always tricky,” said Dr. Lena Carter, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University. “But when you give candidates just three months to campaign in a sprawling district? It’s chaos by design.”
What’s Next?
Tuesday’s primary will whittle the field down dramatically. The top candidates from each party will advance to a general election scheduled for early December 2025. The winner will serve the remainder of Green’s term, which ends in January 2027.
