'It will send shockwaves': Democrats hope to flip House seat in deep red state

Democrats are hoping to flip a House seat in a deep red state, eyeing Trump country in an upcoming special election to replace retired GOP Rep. Mark Green.

Early voting began Wednesday for Tennessee’s 7th District, an area including a large part of Nashville and spanning from the borders of Kentucky and Alabama, Politico reports Thursday. Trump carried the district by more than 20 points in November 2024 and now Democrats are seeing the recent election day gains last week as a potential path to victory.

“It really feels like there’s so much momentum on the ground,” Democratic nominee and Tennessee state representative Aftyn Behn told Politico. “The national attention is on this race and on Tennessee.”

Behn is optimistic a Democratic win could give "a blueprint to winning the House in 2026" and is polling within 8 to 10 points of her opponent, Republican candidate Matt Van Epps. Van Epps has reportedly asked for President Donald Trump to help campaign for him by attending a rally in the district, a source told the outlet. Republicans in the state are hoping it could boost votes for the GOP candidate.

Republican attacks have targeted Behn with "allegations of trailing ICE agents and supporting taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries."

Behn argues "her messaging has been razor-focused on affordability, something she views as key to winning over Republicans and independents."

Both Democrats and Republicans are stepping up the campaigning for their candidates. DNC Chair Ken Martin also campaigned last weekend for Behn.

"If we are able to flip it, it will send shockwaves around the country,” Behn said. “And it’ll be a testament to the type of candidate that will be successful in the South and how to rewrite the Democratic playbook for the future.”