House Speaker Johnson delayed swearing in Representative Grijalva, reportedly due to the latter’s potential deciding vote on a petition related to the release of Jeffrey Epstein files. This delay coincided with the government shutdown at the beginning of October. With Congress and President Trump having since approved the files’ release, Johnson has now sworn in Representative Van Epps, whose vote is crucial for the narrow Republican majority. Van Epps, endorsed by Trump, won his election by a smaller margin than anticipated, causing concern among national Republicans.
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The upcoming special election in Tennessee’s 7th congressional district, a Republican stronghold, has become surprisingly competitive. Democrats are pouring significant resources into the race, aiming to capitalize on a shift in political dynamics. Despite the Republican candidate, Matt Van Epps, leading in polls, the race is tightening, evidenced by a recent poll showing a narrow lead. The shift is also reflected in the fact that the Republican candidate is distancing himself from Trump. A close result could signal trouble for Republicans in other districts, highlighting the potential consequences of Trump’s declining favorability in the area.
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Republicans are expressing growing anxiety regarding the upcoming special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, a district previously considered a GOP stronghold. A recent poll showing a dead heat between Republican Matt Van Epps and Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn has fueled concerns of an upset, potentially jeopardizing the GOP’s slim House majority. The race’s implications are heightened by the recent retirement announcement of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and a Democratic victory in Tennessee could significantly diminish the GOP’s control in the House. While some strategists suggest this may be an attempt to generate turnout, the potential for a Democratic overperformance has raised serious concerns within the Republican party.
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The upcoming election sees Democrat Behn and Republican Van Epps competing to fill the vacancy left by Representative Mark Green. Van Epps, endorsed by Trump, is focusing on conservative issues such as border security and opposition to “woke” policies. Behn, a Tennessee state representative, is campaigning on an anti-corporate platform addressing affordability concerns. A win for Behn would further solidify Democratic gains at the local level.
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A recent Emerson College/The Hill poll indicates a tight race in Tennessee’s 7th District, with Republican Matt Van Epps narrowly leading Democrat Aftyn Behn, despite the district previously favoring Donald Trump by a significant margin. The poll reveals a significant gender and age divide among voters, with younger voters and women leaning towards Behn, while older voters and men support Van Epps. Early voters favor Behn, while those planning to vote on Election Day back Van Epps, suggesting voter turnout will be a crucial factor. The election, which is the final special House election of the year, will occur on December 2nd.
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John Q. Hosedrinker