In the heart of Tennessee, a political storm is brewing as the state gears up for a special election to fill the U.S. House seat for the 7th Congressional District, vacated by Republican Mark Green on July 20, 2025. Green, who announced his retirement to pursue a private-sector opportunity, left behind a district that stretches from the Kentucky border to the Alabama state line, encompassing 14 counties in Middle and West Tennessee, including parts of Davidson, Williamson, and Montgomery counties. With primaries set for October 7, 2025, and the general election on December 2, 2025, this race is drawing national attention as a potential bellwether for political trends in a reliably Republican stronghold. Here’s a deep dive into the dynamics, candidates, and stakes of this high-profile contest.

Why This Election Matters

The 7th Congressional District, redrawn in 2022 to favor Republicans by splitting Democratic-leaning Davidson County and incorporating more rural, conservative counties, is rated R+10 by the 2025 Cook Partisan Voting Index, meaning it leans 10 points more Republican than the national average. Despite this, Democrats see a rare opportunity to flip the seat, especially in an off-year election where lower turnout and historical trends favor the party out of power. Posts on X and political analysts have drawn parallels to past special election upsets, like Conor Lamb’s 2018 win in a red Pennsylvania district, suggesting Democrats could capitalize on voter enthusiasm and dissatisfaction with recent Republican policies, such as the controversial “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that Green supported before resigning.

However, Republicans are determined to hold the seat, emphasizing conservative values and alignment with President Donald Trump’s agenda. The crowded Republican primary field and the presence of independent candidates, including one from Elon Musk’s new America Party, add layers of complexity to the race. Low voter turnout, as noted by the Nashville Banner, could amplify the influence of highly motivated voters, potentially favoring less moderate candidates on both sides.

The Candidates: A Diverse and Competitive Field

Democratic Primary: A Nashville-Centric Push

The Democratic primary features four candidates, all hailing from Nashville, each emphasizing economic issues like affordability and healthcare to resonate with voters across the district’s urban and rural divide.

• Aftyn Behn: A state representative for District 51, Behn gained prominence after her 2023 election win and her protests following the Covenant School shooting. She’s campaigning on ending Tennessee’s grocery tax and addressing rising costs, criticizing Trump’s bill for favoring corporate tax breaks over working families. Behn told CNN, “The culture wars are a distraction from the real issue, which are economic issues,” positioning herself as a populist voice for younger voters and independents.
• Darden Copeland: A Nashville businessman and founder of Calvert Street Group, Copeland argues he’s the Democrat best equipped to win in all 14 counties. He’s leveraged his experience in tough political campaigns, including Al Gore’s presidential run, to appeal to voters wary of career politicians. Copeland has criticized the state legislature’s dysfunction and emphasized his ability to compete in red districts.
• Vincent Dixie: Representing District 54, Dixie brings nearly seven years of statehouse experience and a historic tenure as the first Black leader of a legislative caucus in Tennessee. Endorsed by Metro Nashville Council members and Rep. Justin J. Pearson, Dixie focuses on tackling housing costs, healthcare access, and economic dignity for families.
• Bo Mitchell: A longtime Democratic figure from Dickson County, Mitchell represents District 50 and has served on the Metro Nashville Council. He emphasizes his bipartisan record and personal experience with healthcare struggles, vowing to fight the Medicaid cuts in Trump’s bill that could affect 300,000 Tennesseans.

Republican Primary: A Crowded Conservative Clash

The Republican primary is a packed field of 11 candidates, many aligning closely with Trump’s platform, though some distinguish themselves as outsiders challenging party elites.

• Jody Barrett: A state representative from Dickson, Barrett brands himself “the most conservative politician in Tennessee,” citing his perfect score on the John Birch Society’s Freedom Index. His vote against Governor Bill Lee’s school voucher program has drawn both praise and attack ads from dark money groups, positioning him as an anti-establishment candidate. Barrett told NewsChannel 5, “The folks I represent in Dickson, Hickman, and Lewis Counties hated the bill. They asked me unequivocally, 100 to 1, to vote against it.”
• Gino Bulso: Representing Brentwood’s District 61, Bulso focuses on immigration and transgender issues, advocating for Trump’s border security measures and sponsoring bills to restrict transgender athletes and benefits for undocumented immigrants. He’s one of the few incumbents to have debated during last year’s election cycle.
• Lee Reeves: A Franklin state representative, Reeves has raised over $100,000 and secured endorsements from all seven Williamson County mayors. His platform prioritizes immigration, including ending birthright citizenship and banning sanctuary policies, aligning closely with Trump’s agenda.
• Matt Van Epps: A West Point graduate and former commissioner under Governor Lee, Van Epps is endorsed by Mark Green, potentially making him the frontrunner. He emphasizes his military service and leadership, campaigning on securing the border and protecting Tennessee values.
• Mason Foley: A former legislative correspondent for Sen. Mitch McConnell, Foley targets rural healthcare and border security, appealing to younger conservatives as a “new generation” leader for Trump’s vision.
• Jason Knight: A Montgomery County commissioner and Army reservist, Knight highlights his combat experience and commitment to the Second Amendment and school safety, vowing never to support tax increases.
• Stewart Parks: A real estate developer pardoned by Trump for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, Parks leans heavily on his loyalty to the former president, stating, “President Trump was there for me, I’m going to be there for him.”
• Stuart Cooper, Joseph Leurs, Tres Wittum, Charles Wittum, Adolph Agbéko Dagan: These candidates range from local GOP figures to veterans and political analysts, each emphasizing conservative priorities like fiscal responsibility, border security, and veteran issues, though some lack detailed campaign materials as of August 2025.

Independent Candidates: A Wild Card

Four independents are running in the general election, adding unpredictability to the race:

• Bobby Dodge: Running under Elon Musk’s America Party, Dodge, from Franklin, campaigns on affordable healthcare, clean energy, and ending partisan cronyism, appealing to voters frustrated with the two-party system.
• Jon Thorp: A Springfield-based Army veteran and Metro Nashville Police pilot, Thorp switched from Republican to independent. He focuses on slashing spending, stopping insider trading, and promoting personal responsibility, claiming, “This campaign isn’t about left vs. right. It’s about principle vs. power.”
• Teresa Christie, Robert James Sutherby: Both have qualified but released limited campaign information, making their impact uncertain.
• Robert E. Dodge IV: Another independent with minimal public campaign details, adding to the field’s diversity.

Key Issues and Campaign Dynamics

The special election is unfolding against a backdrop of national and local tensions. Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which Green supported, has become a flashpoint. Democrats like Behn and Mitchell argue it threatens rural hospitals, Medicare, and food stamps, resonating with voters worried about healthcare and economic security. Republicans, meanwhile, frame the bill as a necessary tax cut, with candidates like Reeves and Van Epps doubling down on border security and fiscal conservatism.

The district’s gerrymandered boundaries, designed to favor Republicans, make a Democratic upset challenging but not impossible. Democrats are banking on high turnout in Davidson County and support from younger voters and independents, as noted by Tennessee Lookout. Republicans, however, are mobilizing through groups like GOP Nashville, urging voters to maintain the district’s conservative legacy.

Low turnout, as highlighted by the Nashville Banner, could benefit candidates with strong grassroots support or ideological purity. X posts suggest Democrats are polling competitively, with some estimating the district could narrow to R+2 if national trends favor Democrats. However, the Republican primary’s crowded field may split the vote, potentially elevating a less moderate candidate who could struggle in the general election against a unified Democratic front.

Election Timeline and Voting Information

• Primary Election: October 7, 2025
  • Early voting: September 17–October 2, 2025
  • Voter registration deadline: September 8, 2025
• General Election: December 2, 2025
  • Early voting: November 12–November 26, 2025
  • Voter registration deadline: November 3, 2025
  • Absentee ballot request deadline: November 22, 2025
  • Absentee ballot return deadline: Received by December 2, 2025

Candidates had until August 12, 2025, to file paperwork, with withdrawals permitted until August 15. Voters can check registration status or register at GoVoteTN.gov.

What’s at Stake

This special election is more than a local contest—it’s a test of national political currents. For Democrats, flipping the seat would signal a broader resurgence in red states and boost momentum for the 2026 midterms. For Republicans, holding the district reinforces their dominance in Tennessee and tests their ability to unify behind a candidate in a fractured primary. The presence of independents, particularly from Musk’s America Party, introduces a wildcard that could siphon votes in the general election.

As candidates hit the airwaves—many appearing on NewsChannel 5’s Inside Politics for unedited interviews—voters are getting a close look at their choices. Whether it’s Barrett’s anti-elite stance, Behn’s economic populism, or Dodge’s third-party appeal, the race is shaping up as a microcosm of America’s political divide. With just weeks until the primary, Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District is a battleground to watch.

Sources: Ballotpedia, NewsChannel 5, Tennessee Secretary of State, WPLN News, Tennessee Lookout, Nashville Banner, The Tennessean