Democratic Candidate Aftyn Behn’s Controversial Comments Surface Before Tennessee Special Election
As Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District special election approaches on December 2, Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn finds herself under scrutiny following the resurfacing of a 2020 podcast in which she expressed strong negative sentiments about Nashville, a city she now hopes to represent. “I hate the city, I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music, I hate all of the things that make Nashville apparently an ‘it’ city to the rest of the country. But I hate it,” Behn said in the recording. This revelation comes at a critical time as Behn, a Democratic state representative and former healthcare community organizer, faces Republican nominee Matt Van Epps in a race to fill the seat vacated by former GOP Rep. Mark Green, who resigned in June for a private sector position.
The controversy extends beyond the podcast comments, with Republicans also highlighting a 2019 opinion piece attributed to Behn titled “Tennessee is a racist state, and so is its legislature.” The Republican National Committee has seized on these past statements, questioning why someone who seemingly dislikes Tennessee would seek to represent it in Congress. The district itself presents an interesting political landscape – while solidly Republican overall (Trump carried it by 22 points in 2024), it includes portions of Nashville, a Democratic stronghold and the state’s capital and most populous city. The 7th District encompasses parts of north and west Nashville, including the downtown area that serves as a popular tourist destination and a major center for the country music industry that Behn criticized.
Republicans are investing significant resources to protect this seat, aware that losing it would further erode their already razor-thin 219-214 majority in the House. GOP-aligned groups have launched substantial ad campaigns, with the Trump-aligned super PAC MAGA Inc. spending seven figures on spots targeting Behn. Van Epps, who previously served as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, won his primary with an endorsement from former President Trump, who recently hosted a tele-rally for the candidate. During this event, Trump characterized Behn as a “Marxist” and attempted to link her to Zohran Mamdani, the socialist mayor-elect of New York City, whom Republicans are positioning as a controversial face of the Democratic Party. The Van Epps campaign has requested that Trump campaign in person before the special election.
Democrats, buoyed by their recent victories in the 2024 elections, see potential in this race despite the district’s Republican tilt. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, who has campaigned alongside Behn, expressed optimism, claiming she has “an excellent shot to win.” Some Democrats view Behn as a rising progressive star, with some dubbing her the “AOC of Tennessee,” drawing parallels to prominent progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The Behn campaign has responded to the controversy by suggesting Republicans are “panicking” and attempting to distract voters from substantive issues. Campaign manager Kate Briefs stated that “Republicans are raising costs on Tennessee families and ripping away their health care while Aftyn Behn will lower Tennessee families’ costs and make groceries more affordable by eliminating the state’s grocery tax.”
The race has become a high-stakes battle, with both parties viewing it as symbolically important beyond just one House seat. Republicans are working vigorously to prevent what would be considered a major upset in a traditionally safe district, while Democrats see an opportunity to build momentum following their recent electoral successes. The substantial financial investment by Republican groups in what should be a safe seat has been noted by Democratic strategists as a positive sign regardless of the outcome. One Democratic strategist familiar with the race suggested, “Whether or not Aftyn Behn wins, overperforms, or loses, this is a win for us because Republicans know just how in trouble they are when they have to fight tooth and nail for a seat like this.”
As election day approaches, the contrast between the candidates has sharpened. Van Epps represents the traditional Republican values that have dominated this district, with Trump’s endorsement serving as a significant asset in a region where the former president remains popular. Behn, meanwhile, embodies the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, focusing on economic issues like eliminating the state’s grocery tax to appeal to voters across the political spectrum. However, her past comments about Nashville and Tennessee more broadly have provided ammunition for her opponents, who question her genuine connection to the community she seeks to represent. The special election outcome will not only determine who fills this congressional seat but may also provide insights into the political landscape heading into future electoral contests in Tennessee and similar politically divided regions.
