President Donald Trump has made an endorsement in the October 7 Republican primary for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, throwing his support behind U.S. Army veteran and former Lee administration official Matt Van Epps.
“It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot Matt Van Epps, who is running to represent the Great People of Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Friday.
Pointing to Van Epps’ military background as a U.S. Military Academy at West Point commissioned officer graduate who went on to serve nine combat deployments, Trump said Van Epps “knows the WISDOM and COURAGE required to Defend our Country, Support our Incredible Military/Veterans, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”
BREAKING: President Donald J. Trump ENDORSES Matt Van Epps for Congress🇺🇸
READ TRUMP’S ENDORSEMENT BELOW: 👇https://t.co/ihx5oYH8tY#MattforTN #TN07 #TN7 #AmericaFirst pic.twitter.com/9kpy5Tq9Ts
— Matt Van Epps for Congress (@MattForTN) October 3, 2025
The president went on to say Van Epps would fight for conservative values in Congress with regard to cutting taxes, securing the border, cracking down on crime, supporting school choice measures, defending the Second Amendment, and more.
“In Congress, Matt will work hard to Keep our now very Secure Border, SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion School Choice, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment. He is strongly supported by my good friend, Congressman Jim Jordan, and many other highly respected MAGA Warriors,” Trump said.
The president concluded, “Matt Van Epps has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Congressman from Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
Trump’s endorsement of Van Epps comes days after Tennessee Governor Bill Lee endorsed his former cabinet member in the primary race.
A message from my friend, Governor Bill Lee. 🇺🇸#MattforTN #TN7 #TN07 #AmericaFirst pic.twitter.com/u4tJlqcoDz
— Matt Van Epps for Congress (@MattForTN) October 2, 2025
In an ad for Van Epps’ campaign, Lee said, “Matt will stand with President Trump 100 percent to push back against the extreme agendas that threaten this country.”
Van Epps served multiple roles in Lee’s administration, including deputy chief operating officer in the Governor’s Office, assistant director of procurement and contracts with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, assistant commissioner with the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, and most recently as Department of General Services commissioner.
In addition to Trump and Lee, Van Epps has been notably endorsed by retired U.S. Rep. Mark Green and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH-04).
Van Epps is one of 11 Republican candidates seeking the party’s nomination in the race.
The special primary election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District will take place on Tuesday, October 7.
The Secretary of State’s office shows a total of 36,028 absentee and in-person early votes – 18,203 from Republican voters and 17,825 from Democrats – have been cast across the 14 counties that make up the 7th District through the entire early voting period.
Voters who failed to register in time for the special primary have until November 3 to register to vote in the special general election, scheduled for December 2.
Early voting for the December 2 general election will run from November 12 through November 26
The final day for voters to request an absentee ballot for the special general election is November 22.
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Matt Van Epps” by Matt Van Epps.
