Aftyn Behn

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On July 9, 2025, Behn announced she would run in the special election for Tennessee's 7th congressional district. [28] The election was triggered by the resignation of Republican Mark Green, who took a private sector job after voting to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. [29] [30] [31]

Behn defeated fellow state representatives Vincent Dixie and Bo Mitchell, as well as businessman Darden Copeland, in the Democratic primary on October 7, 2025. [32] She was defeated by Republican Matt Van Epps in the general election on December 2, 2025. [33] The campaign was highly publicized, receiving attention from national political leaders from both parties. [34]

Electoral history

Aftyn Behn
Rep. Aftyn Behn.jpg
Behn in 2025
Member of the TennesseeHouseofRepresentatives
from the 51st district
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 4, 2023
Democratic primary results [35]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Aftyn Behn 8,653 27.89%
Democratic Darden Copeland7,72024.88%
Democratic Bo Mitchell 7,49824.17%
Democratic Vincent Dixie 7,15323.06%
Total votes31,024 100.00%
2025 Tennessee's 7th congressional district special election [36]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Matt Van Epps 96,988 53.91% −5.59
Democratic Aftyn Behn81,04445.05%+7.00
Independent Jon Thorp9320.52%N/A
Independent Terri Christie6100.34%N/A
Independent Bobby Dodge1960.11%N/A
Independent Robert Sutherby1290.07%N/A
Total votes179,899 100.00%

References

  1. ↑ Sauter, Danica (October 4, 2023). "Aftyn Behn, youngest woman elected to Tennessee House, sworn in". WSMV-TV Channel 4 . Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Tennessee House Special Election 2025 Live Results: Matt Van Epps Wins, NBC News Projects". www.nbcnews.com. December 3, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  3. ↑ Windsor, Brandon (October 1, 2025). "Why the Republican Primary May Decide Tennessee's 7th District". TNPOLITICO. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Aftyn Behn". Nashville.gov. Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Jones, Vivian (November 13, 2025). "'A lifelong Girl Scout' from Knoxville to the statehouse, who is Aftyn Behn?". The Tennessean.
  6. ↑ "Text me briefs: Apr. 15". Knoxville News Sentinel . Gannett. April 15, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  7. ↑ Rickmeyer, Kathryn. "Meet the AOC of Tennessee: Aftyn Behn will be sworn into the Tennessee House of Representatives Wednesday". www.tennbeat.com. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Aftyn Behn". The Forge. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  9. ↑ "A Call to Arms on Health Care". Memphis Flyer. July 13, 2017.
  10. ↑ Haggard, Amanda (May 9, 2023). "Faces of Local Activism". Nashville Scene.
  11. ↑ Horan, Kyle (May 2, 2019). "Woman removed from house chamber for outburst at Speaker". WTVF . Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  12. ↑ Owens, Mye (April 6, 2023). "Thousands expected to march at State Capitol in favor of the 'Tennessee Three' and gun reform". WKRN.
  13. ↑ Tagliaferro, Nick (August 3, 2023). "Primary School 8/3" . Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  14. ↑ Hansen, Alyssa (August 17, 2023). "TN AFL-CIO Endorses Aftyn Behn in Upcoming House District 51 Special Election".
  15. ↑ "August 2024 Endorsements". theequityalliancefund.org. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  16. ↑ Stockard, Sam (July 31, 2023). "Behn, Davis top contenders in 51st House race to fill Beck's post". Tennessee Lookout. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  17. ↑ Rau, Nate (June 21, 2023). "Nashville council appoint Anthony Davis to state House". Axios . Cox Enterprises . Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  18. ↑ Brown, Melissa (August 3, 2023). "Progressive organizer Aftyn Behn edges out interim Rep. Anthony Davis in House 51 primary". The Tennessean . Gannett . Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  19. ↑ Posey, Sebastian (September 14, 2023). "Nashville, Tennessee Runoff Election Results: September 14, 2023". WKRN . Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  20. ↑ Jones, Vivian (November 20, 2023). "Tennessee Democrats seek elimination of 4% grocery sales tax". The Tennessean.
  21. ↑ Kruesi, Kimberlee (September 20, 2024). "Federal judge temporarily blocks Tennessee's 'abortion trafficking' law". Associated Press.
  22. ↑ Taylor, Sarah (December 3, 2024). "THE LEDE". Nashville Banner. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  23. ↑ Stockard, Sam (March 12, 2024). "Republican, Democrat team up to move harassment investigations to new liaison, attorney general • Tennessee Lookout". Tennessee Lookout. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  24. ↑ Garcia, Tony (May 14, 2025). "TN Rep. Andy Ogles calls for investigation into Nashville leadership for obstructing ICE operations". WSMV-TV . Retrieved November 19, 2025.
  25. ↑ McCall, J. Holly (May 4, 2025). "Immigration and Customs Enforcement "dragnet" in Nashville results in detentions". Tennessee Lookout . Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  26. ↑ Bacallao, Marianna (May 4, 2025). "ICE arrests drivers in South Nashville, sparking outrage from local officials". WPLN . Archived from the original on December 2, 2025. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  27. 1 2 3 4 "Representatives - TN General Assembly". wapp.capitol.tn.gov. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  28. ↑ Jackson, Aubriella (July 9, 2025). "State Rep. Aftyn Behn announces congressional run". WKRN.com. WKRN . Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  29. ↑ Masters, Hamilton Matthew (June 9, 2025). "Rep. Mark Green Announces Resignation". Nashville Scene . Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  30. ↑ Mattise, Jonathan (June 9, 2025). "GOP House Homeland chairman Green to retire from Congress early". apnews.com. Associated Press . Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  31. ↑ Puente, Kelly (July 7, 2025). "US Rep. Mark Green will step down July 20. Who could replace him?". tennessean.com. The Tennessean . Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  32. ↑ Gascon, Melvin (October 16, 2025). "The rise of Aftyn Behn in Tennessee". The Tennessee Tribune.
  33. ↑ Rau, Nate (July 15, 2025). "Dixie officially enters District 7 congressional race". axios.com. Axios . Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Tennessee House Special Election 2025 Live Results: Matt Van Epps Wins, NBC News Projects". www.nbcnews.com. December 3, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  35. ↑ "United States House of Representatives District 7 Democratic Primary" (PDF). elections.tn.gov. October 8, 2025. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  36. ↑ Hargett, Tre (December 2, 2025). "United States House of Representatives District 7". Tennessee Secretary of State. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
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