This story was originally published by the Nashville Banner. Sign up for their newsletter at nashvillebanner.com/newsletters.
More than $3 million has been spent on advertising in the unexpectedly competitive special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, including more than $2.3 million in outside spending.
The race between Republican Matt Van Epps and Democratic State Rep. Aftyn Behn to replace retired congressman Mark Green has drawn an atypical amount of outside interest and spending. The district was re-drawn in 2020 to be safely Republican, but the off-cycle, special election turnout fight has given Behn a longshot, but not unfeasible, chance at winning.
As a result of Behn’s perceived momentum, heavyweight national figures from both parties — including former Vice President Kamala Harris and President Donald Trump — have dipped their toes into the election, and national political action committee spending on both sides has been up in recent weeks. In all, more than $3.2 million has been spent on advertising alone.