U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30) virtually headlined a campaign event for Tennessee State Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville), the Democratic nominee for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, on Friday.
Crockett was set to appear in-person for the event but instead attended virtually due to the weather.
During the event, Crockett, who spoke for less than 30 minutes after her feed was plagued by connection issues, blamed Republicans for the ongoing government shutdown; branded President Donald Trump as a “crybaby wannabe tyrant;” and criticized the Trump administration for the construction of a White House ballroom, the slashing of USAID, the deployment of federal resources to crackdown on crime in U.S. cities, and more.
“It is time for the people to take their power back. It is time to tell your friends and your neighbors and everyone else that if you don’t like the fact that the cost of everything is high directly because of one individual deciding to say levy illegal tariffs; or if you don’t like that the flights are all out of whack and that we’ve had a record number of air collisions already before the shutdown; if you don’t like the fact that we have an administration that wants to…starve people in my country; if you don’t like that stuff, if you want an actual check, let me tell you, Aftyn is that check,” Crockett said.
“You have the power to change the entire country’s lives with this one seat because our numbers are that close. Right now, [Republicans] have a three- seat majority. This would take them down to two. I am asking you to believe in the power of you. It comes down to you,” she added.
Behn told Crockett during the event she has “so many fans in Tennessee,” adding, “We love you and we’re very grateful for all you do for us.”
The 7th District seat, vacated earlier this year by Mark Green who retired into the private sector, has drawn national attention, with Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin acknowledging the race as an opportunity to expand the party’s presence in Tennessee.
Martin traveled to the Volunteer State on Saturday where he appeared alongside Behn at Charlotte Park Elementary School in Nashville and spoke to a crowd of the Democrat’s canvassers.
Early voting for the December 2 special general election begins Wednesday, November 12.
The final day for voters in the 7th District to request an absentee ballot for the special general election is Saturday, November 22.
Behn, Trump-endorsed Republican nominee Matt Van Epps, and four Independent candidates – Teresa “Terri” Christie, Bobby Dodge, Robert James Sutherby, and Jon Thorp – will be listed on the general ballot.
Watch Behn’s campaign event, with Crockett joining virtually, live from a shoe closet:
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
