TN-7 Republican Nominee Matt Van Epps Confirmed Special Guest at Jack Johnson’s ‘Boots & Jeans BBQ’ Event

by | Oct 14, 2025

Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) confirmed that Matt Van Epps, the Republican nominee for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, is set to attend his “Boots and Jeans BBQ and Beans” event this Sunday.

Johnson will host his 19th annual “Boots and Jeans BBQ and Beans” event this Sunday, October 19 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. inside the 14,400-square ft. Liberty Hall at the Factory at Franklin.

Van Epps, who won last Tuesday’s Republican primary race for the 7th District, will join U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN), U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN-02), and conservative activist Robby Starbuck as special guests at Johnson’s 19th annual event.

On Monday’s edition of The Michael Patrick Leahy Show, Johnson invited Tennesseans to attend his event this Sunday, describing it as a casual, family-friendly scene with musical entertainment and food.

“I could not be more honored and humbled to have the lineup that we do. We’ve done this event for a number of years now…it’s an opportunity for Williamson Countians and people to come together, have a good time,” Johnson said.

“It’s a very casual, family friendly-event. I hope everybody comes out and joins us. It’ll be a great time,” he added.

Johnson went on to discuss the importance of Van Epps’ campaign for the 7th District, describing his opponent in the race, Democrat State Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) as an individual who “doesn’t reflect the values” of Tennesseans.

“[Van Epps] is going to be a great congressman and we have to rally our Republican troops to support him,” Johnson said.

“It’s a good chance the Democrats are going to make a hard run at this seat, they see it being a very low turnout race. The Democrat nominee is someone I serve with in the General Assembly, and I can tell you that the moniker of ‘AOC of Tennessee’ is 100 percent accurate, and I don’t think that reflects Tennessee values. It doesn’t reflect the values of the 7th Congressional District, so it would be a travesty for her to win,” he added.

Tickets for this year’s “Boots and Jeans BBQ and Beans” event can be purchased online here.

Watch:

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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.

 

 

 

   
This article may be republished only in its entirety and only with proper attribution to State News Foundation.

Written By Kaitlin Housler

Journalist

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