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U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise Endorses Matt Van Epps in TN-7 Race

by | Oct 23, 2025

U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA-01) endorsed Republican nominee Matt Van Epps in the special general election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District on Wednesday.

“A battle-tested conservative with deep Tennessee/oots, Matt Van Epps has dedicated his life to service. A West Point graduate, Apache and Chinook pilot, and veteran of nine combat deployments, Matt has proven his leadership in the toughest conditions,” Scalise said in a statement amplified by Van Epps’ campaign.

“Now he’s ready to take that same grit to Congress, fighting for Tennessee families and advancing President Trump’s agenda on day one,” Scalise added.

Van Epps said he was “deeply honored” to have received Scalise’s support in the race, adding, “I’m ready to get to work for Tennessee families on day one.”

Scalise joins President Donald Trump, retired U.S. Rep. Mark Green, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH-04) in endorsing Van Epps’ congressional bid.

Van Epps is also backed in the race by the Club for Growth PAC.

Earlier this month, Van Epps won the special Republican primary for the 7th District with 19,001 votes (51.7 percent).

Upon his victory in the special primary, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) congratulated Van Epps, adding in an X post, “We look forward to having him join the House Republican team as we implement the America First agenda.”

Voters have until Monday, 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.

Van Epps faces Democratic nominee State Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) in the December 2 general election.

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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Image “Matt Van Epps” by Matt Van Epps and “Rep Steve Scalise” is by Rep. Steve Scalise. 

 

 

   
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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