Could Kamala actually get a win this time?
A surprising special election in Tennessee’s Seventh Congressional District is now shaping up to be a major political moment — one Democrats hope to use against President Donald Trump. And they believe it may give Kamala Harris a rare “victory,” more than a year after voters soundly rejected her.
Democrats Try to Flip a Trump +22 District
On Tuesday, voters will choose between Aftyn Behn, a far-left Democratic state legislator, and Matt Van Epps, a Republican veteran backed by President Trump.
The seat opened after Rep. Mark Green left Congress for the private sector.
Normally, this solid-red district isn’t even close — Trump won it by 22 points.
But Democrats are pouring massive amounts of money into the race, hoping to manufacture an upset in a district stretching from Nashville to suburban and rural central Tennessee.
Recent polling shows a tight contest, and Democrats are treating it like a once-in-a-decade opportunity to embarrass Trump.
Harris Tries to Revive Her Political Image
Sensing an opportunity, Kamala Harris reappeared on the campaign trail after more than a year in hiding.
She didn’t formally endorse Behn, but she flew into Nashville to headline a Democrat canvassing event — a clear sign the left believes this race is winnable.
Harris framed the moment as a battle against “powerful forces,” trying to cast herself as a defender of unity and justice:
“This election is 14 days away,” she urged Democrats.
“We need to reclaim our country.”
For Harris, who is already being floated as a 2028 presidential hopeful, even a symbolic win would help her relevance within the fractured Democratic Party.
Trump Enters the Fight: “GET OUT AND VOTE”
President Trump stepped in to protect the seat, strongly endorsing Matt Van Epps:
“Do NOT take this race for granted,” Trump warned on Truth Social.
“The Radical Left is spending a fortune. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR MATT VAN EPPS — he will NEVER let you down!”
A Democratic win would instantly shrink the GOP’s narrow House majority and hand Speaker Mike Johnson a political headache — exactly what Democrats want.
Analysts: Democrats Want to Turn This Into a Trump Referendum
Political experts say Democrats are trying to nationalize the race and frame it as a sign that Trump is “losing influence.”
However, Republican strategists argue the reality is simpler: this is a fight over inflation, border security, the cost of living, and the future direction of Congress.
Democrats insist a Behn victory would boost Harris and signal GOP “weakness.”
But other analysts say this election is really a test of President Trump’s strength heading into the midterms — nothing more.
Democrats Push the Narrative, Republicans Push the Issues
While Harris tries to energize the left, Republicans are focusing on what voters actually care about:
✔ rising prices
✔ record inflation
✔ border security
✔ public safety
✔ protecting Tennessee values
Van Epps’ ads highlight these issues. Democrats, however, are attacking Van Epps as “extreme” while avoiding Harris’ highly unpopular national profile.
Even liberal analysts admit Democrats want to use this election as a talking point heading into 2026 and 2028.
The Polls Are Tight — But the GOP Still Has the Edge
Nonpartisan forecasters still classify the race as “Likely Republican.” However, a new Emerson College poll has the race essentially neck-and-neck:
Van Epps: 49%
Behn: 47%
The two-point margin is within the survey’s 3.9% margin of error — meaning anything could happen if turnout swings.
Polls close at 7 p.m. CT, and both parties are treating the race like a national bellwether.
Democrats want a symbolic win for Harris.
Republicans want to protect a seat Trump dominated just last year.
Either way, the results will be used to shape the narrative heading into the midterms and the 2028 presidential landscape.