State Representative Lee Reeves (R-Franklin) suspended his campaign for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District on Friday after President Donald Trump announced his endorsement of Matt Van Epps in the race.
“Throughout the campaign, I consistently told voters that President Trump is our quarterback — he calls the plays, and I would be a reliable teammate to make sure as much of his America First agenda as possible is accomplished and codified into federal law before the November 2026 midterm elections,” Reeves said in a statement.
State Representative Lee Reeves stands with President @realDonaldTrump, endorses Matt Van Epps (@matt4tn) for Congress
Official Statement from State Representative Lee Reeves:
This summer I entered the special election for Congress because I fully support President Trump and…
— Lee Reeves (@LeeReevesTN) October 3, 2025
“Today, the President called a play I did not expect. He endorsed Matt Van Epps and gave him his complete and total endorsement to be the next Congressman for Tennessee’s 7th District. The words I said on the campaign trail were not hollow. I meant them. I support our President, and if this is the call he has made, I will back him up,” Reeves added.
Reeves, who raised the most funds in the primary race per FEC filings, went on to announce the suspension of his campaign and his support moving forward for Van Epps.
“If you were supporting me and have not yet voted, I encourage you to cast your vote on Tuesday, October 7th, in the Republican Primary for Matt Van Epps. He has President Trump’s support and he has mine. I hope he now has yours,” Reeves said.
Reeves’ suspension of his campaign came less than two hours after Trump announced his backing of Van Epps in the primary race.
In endorsing Van Epps, a former Lee administration official and U.S. Army veteran, Trump said Van Epps “knows the WISDOM and COURAGE required to Defend our Country, Support our Incredible Military/Veterans, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH” and will fight for conservative values in D.C.
After Reeves announced the suspension of his campaign, one of his notable supporters, Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) said he would follow suit and back Van Epps in the race moving forward.
President @realDonaldTrump has spoken– and I proudly stand with him in supporting @Matt4TN to represent the great people of the 7th! I hope you’ll join me in rallying behind Matt to ensure continued conservative leadership for Tennessee.
Thank you, @LeeReevesTN, for taking this… https://t.co/ZUk2LS3xpP
— Jack Johnson (@SenJohnson) October 3, 2025
President [Donald Trump] has spoken– and I proudly stand with him in supporting [Matt Van Epps] to represent the great people of the 7th! I hope you’ll join me in rallying behind Matt to ensure continued conservative leadership for Tennessee,” Johnson said in an X post.
“Thank you, [Lee Reeves], for taking this step to unite our party in your endorsement of [Van Epps],” Johnson added.
In addition to Trump’s support, Van Epps has also been endorsed by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, retired U.S. Rep. Mark Green, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH-04).
The special primary election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District will take place on Tuesday, October 7.
Reeves’ suspension of his campaign comes after a total of 36,028 absentee and in-person early votes – 18,203 from Republican voters and 17,825 from Democrats – were cast across the 14 counties that make up the 7th District through the entire early voting period, according to the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Lee Reeves” by Lee Reeves.
