President Trump’s Message to TN-7 Republicans: ‘Do Not Take This Race for Granted’

by | Dec 1, 2025

President Donald Trump is urging Republicans in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District not to be complacent in the upcoming December 2 special election, warning voters that Democrats are investing heavily in the race and stressing the importance of turning out to vote for Republican nominee Matt Van Epps.

“I am asking all America First Patriots in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, who haven’t voted yet, to please GET OUT AND VOTE on Election Day, Tuesday, December 2nd, for a phenomenal Candidate, Matt Van Epps,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Sunday.

The president went on to describe Van Epps’ Democratic opponent in the race, State Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville), as a “woman who hates Christianity, will take away your guns, wants Open Borders, Transgender for everybody, men in women’s sports, and openly disdains Country music,” pointing to multiple instances of Behn’s controversial remarks and policy stances that have come to light throughout the race.

“She said all of these things precisely, and without question — IT’S ON TAPE! Do not take this Race for granted,” Trump said.

Unlike Behn, Trump said Van Epps “cherishes Christianity and Country Music,” and would be a “great congressman.”

“The Radical Left Democrats are spending a fortune to beat one of the best Candidates we’ve ever had, Matt Van Epps! You can win this Election for Matt. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR MATT VAN EPPS, who has my Complete and Total Endorsement — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” Trump wrote.

Trump’s message to Republican voters in the 7th District comes as Van Epps is set to hold two Get Out the Vote (GOTV) rallies in Franklin and Clarksville on Monday, the eve of Election Day, with a lineup of notable Republicans.

At 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Van Epps will hold a rally in Franklin featuring House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04), Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters, Tennessee Republican Party Chair Scott Golden, Governor Bill Lee, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), U.S. Reps. Tim Burchett (R-TN-02), Andy Ogles (R-TN-05), and John Rose (R-TN-06), Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), and other Tennessee state legislators.

Van Epps will go on to hold another rally Monday featuring Johnson, Gruters, and Golden in Clarksville at 5:00 p.m., which will also host State Senator Bill Powers (R-Clarksville), State Representative Aaron Maberry (R-Clarksville), Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, and other local election officials.

Behn is also set to hold a virtual GOTV Zoom rally on Monday, featuring U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), former Vice President Al Gore, and LaTosha Brown, co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund.

Election Day is Tuesday, December 2. Polls close at 7:00 p.m. CT.

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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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