(NOQ Report)—Voters in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District turned out on a chilly December day to choose a successor to Rep. Mark Green, who stepped down in July after a decade in office. Republican Matt Van Epps, a West Point graduate and Army National Guard colonel, emerged victorious over Democrat Aftyn Behn, a Nashville state representative. With about 85% of votes counted, Van Epps led with 52% to Behn’s 47%, a narrower margin than the district’s usual Republican blowouts but enough to keep the seat in GOP hands.
The district, which stretches from the suburbs west of Nashville through rural counties, has long been a Republican stronghold. President Trump won it by 22 points in 2024, and Green routinely pulled double-digit victories. Yet this special election felt different from the start. Democrats poured resources into the race, sensing an opening amid national headwinds for the GOP.
Behn’s campaign hammered affordability, echoing Democratic successes in off-year races in New Jersey and Virginia last month. But Van Epps countered with promises to cut costs and secure the border, framing himself as the steady hand to carry forward Green’s work.
Early voting gave Behn a clear edge, a pattern that’s frustrated Republicans in recent cycles. She banked support from urban Nashville voters worried about grocery prices and housing. Van Epps, though, surged on Election Day, dominating in the district’s conservative rural precincts. That split suggests GOP get-out-the-vote operations—bolstered by Trump’s tele-rallies and House Speaker Mike Johnson’s last-minute swing through Franklin—paid off just enough.
“A special election is an odd thing, anything can happen, so we take no vote for granted,” Johnson said at a rally the day before polls opened, noting how turnout often dips without the usual November fanfare.
The race wasn’t cheap. Super PACs aligned with Trump dumped over $1.7 million into ads boosting Van Epps, while Democrats matched them nearly dollar for dollar through their House majority PAC and Behn’s own committee. Total spending topped $6 million, turning airwaves into a battlefield.
Republicans zeroed in on Behn’s past statements, airing clips where she called herself “a very radical person” and voiced support for defunding the police. One Van Epps spot branded her a “radical disaster,” warning that her agenda meant higher taxes for working families. Democrats fired back, tying Van Epps to what they called Trump’s “toxic” policies, like efforts to roll back health coverage for thousands of Tennesseans.
Van Epps, who served as Tennessee’s commissioner of general services under Gov. Bill Lee, leaned hard into his military credentials and Trump’s backing. In an October interview, he laid out his pitch plainly: campaigning on “security, opportunity and prosperity” and vowing to “pick up the ball and run with it” on border security, a nod to Green’s time leading the House Homeland Security Committee.
Endorsements rolled in from Trump, Green, and state heavyweights like Rep. Diana Harshbarger, whose district neighbors the 7th. Harshbarger, a vocal Trump ally, joined the chorus urging conservatives to show up, especially after Trump’s recent pardon of her husband in a long-ago health care fraud case—a move that drew whispers of favoritism but solidified GOP loyalty in Tennessee.
For Behn, the loss stings in a district where Democrats have made inroads before. She’s built a profile as a progressive organizer, drawing comparisons to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and pulling in old Democrats like Kamala Harris and Al Gore to her events. Yet her old podcast remarks—saying she “hates this city” about Nashville, the very place she now represents—gave opponents endless ammo.
Republicans painted her opposition to releasing Jeffrey Epstein files as suspicious, especially after Trump signed the transparency bill into law on November 21. Was Behn shielding powerful interests, or just toeing a party line? The ads let voters decide, and they leaned toward doubt.
This result offers a mixed signal for Republicans heading into 2026. Holding a safe seat by single digits shows the party’s base remains fired up, but it also exposes cracks. Trump’s direct involvement—phoning into rallies and breaking a social media silence to rally the faithful—kept the race from slipping away. Still, with the House majority hanging by a thread, Speaker Johnson can’t afford many more nail-biters like this.
Van Epps, sworn in soon, has his eye on the Armed Services Committee, where his combat experience as a helicopter pilot could prove useful amid ongoing border and global tensions.
Tennessee’s 7th District delivered what it usually does: a win for the home team. But the close call serves as a reminder that even deep-red ground needs tending, especially when outside money and national narratives turn a quiet special into something bigger. Van Epps takes the oath knowing the work ahead—lowering costs, securing borders, and keeping faith with voters who braved the rain to cast their lot with him.
Safeguarding Your American Dream: Discover the Power of America First Healthcare
In today’s economy, healthcare costs remain one of the biggest threats to financial stability and family security. Americans work hard to build a better life, yet rising medical expenses can quickly erode savings, force tough trade-offs, and even push families toward debt or bankruptcy. Medical bills continue to rank as the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, with millions facing underinsurance or unexpected out-of-pocket burdens that no one plans for. Many turn to government-run marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act, hoping for relief, only to discover that what appears affordable on paper often delivers higher long-term costs, limited real protection, and coverage that may not align with personal values or family needs.
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The allure of marketplace plans is easy to understand: open enrollment periods, premium tax credits for many households, and the promise of “comprehensive” benefits mandated by law. Yet recent data reveals a different reality, especially after the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies at the end of 2025. Enrollment for 2026 dropped by more than one million people compared to the prior year, with many shifting to lower-tier bronze plans to keep monthly premiums manageable.
These plans feature significantly higher deductibles—averaging around $7,500 nationally—and greater cost-sharing requirements. Families who once paid modest amounts after subsidies now face average premium increases of $65 or more per month, even as they accept plans that leave them responsible for thousands in upfront costs before meaningful coverage kicks in.
High deductibles create a dangerous barrier to care. Studies show that people in such plans are less likely to seek timely treatment for chronic conditions, attend preventive screenings, or fill necessary prescriptions. A seemingly minor illness or injury can balloon into major expenses when patients delay care until problems worsen. For a family of four, a single hospitalization, cancer diagnosis, or unexpected surgery can easily exceed the deductible, triggering coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums that still leave substantial bills. One recent analysis noted that some proposed changes could push family deductibles toward $31,000 in future years, further exposing households to financial risk.
Beyond the numbers, marketplace plans often carry structural limitations. Coverage for certain critical services may include waiting periods or narrower networks that restrict access to preferred doctors and specialists. Preventive care is required to be covered without cost-sharing, but everything else—lab work, imaging, specialist visits, or ongoing treatment—typically waits until the deductible is met. This reactive model contrasts sharply with the proactive, holistic approach many families prefer, especially those focused on wellness, early intervention, and maintaining health to enjoy life rather than merely reacting to illness.
Values alignment represents another growing concern. Government-influenced plans operate within a framework shaped by federal mandates and political priorities that may not reflect conservative principles of limited government, personal freedom, and ethical stewardship. Families who want to direct their healthcare dollars toward providers and benefits that honor traditional values sometimes find marketplace options feel misaligned, forcing a compromise between affordability and conviction.
Private alternatives, by contrast, offer year-round flexibility without the restrictions of open enrollment windows. Independent agents can shop across a wider range of carriers to design plans tailored to specific family needs—whether that means lower deductibles for frequent medical users, broader provider networks, or add-ons that support wellness and preventive services from day one. Clients frequently report more stable premiums that do not automatically escalate each year, along with genuine cost savings once the full picture of deductibles, copays, and coverage depth is considered.
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Founder Jordan Sarmiento’s own journey underscores the stakes. In 2021, a six-day hospitalization generated a $95,000 bill. Under a well-structured private “Conservative Care Coverage” plan, his out-of-pocket responsibility would have been just $500. That stark difference illustrates how thoughtful planning and private options can prevent a medical event from becoming a financial catastrophe.
Practical steps exist for anyone questioning their current coverage. Start with a no-obligation review of your existing policy to identify gaps—high deductibles, limited critical-care benefits, or escalating premiums. Compare total projected costs (premiums plus potential out-of-pocket expenses) rather than monthly premiums alone. Consider family health history, anticipated needs, and lifestyle priorities. Private agencies can present side-by-side options that include stronger wellness incentives, broader access, and plans built on shared values of self-reliance and freedom.
In an era when healthcare inflation continues to outpace general cost-of-living increases, relying solely on marketplace solutions carries growing risk. Families who proactively explore private alternatives frequently achieve meaningful savings while gaining peace of mind that their coverage truly works when needed most.
America First Healthcare makes this exploration straightforward through its free review process. Families and individuals receive personalized guidance to close coverage holes, reduce unnecessary expenses, and secure plans that align with conservative principles—protecting wallets, health, and the American Dream without government overreach. Many who complete a review discover they can enjoy better benefits for less, often saving up to 20% while gaining the customization and stability that marketplace plans struggle to deliver.
Ultimately, protecting your family’s future requires looking beyond the marketing of “affordable” government options. By understanding the long-term costs hidden in high deductibles, shifting coverage tiers, and values mismatches, Americans can make empowered choices. Private, values-driven insurance offers a smarter path—one that rewards diligence, supports wellness, and delivers real security. For those ready to move beyond the limitations of traditional marketplace plans, a simple review can reveal options designed to serve families, not bureaucracies. The American Dream thrives when individuals and families retain control over their healthcare decisions, and thoughtful private coverage plays a vital role in making that possible.