(NOQ Report)—Voters in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District turned out on a chilly December day to choose a successor to Rep. Mark Green, who stepped down in July after a decade in office. Republican Matt Van Epps, a West Point graduate and Army National Guard colonel, emerged victorious over Democrat Aftyn Behn, a Nashville state representative. With about 85% of votes counted, Van Epps led with 52% to Behn’s 47%, a narrower margin than the district’s usual Republican blowouts but enough to keep the seat in GOP hands.
The district, which stretches from the suburbs west of Nashville through rural counties, has long been a Republican stronghold. President Trump won it by 22 points in 2024, and Green routinely pulled double-digit victories. Yet this special election felt different from the start. Democrats poured resources into the race, sensing an opening amid national headwinds for the GOP.
Behn’s campaign hammered affordability, echoing Democratic successes in off-year races in New Jersey and Virginia last month. But Van Epps countered with promises to cut costs and secure the border, framing himself as the steady hand to carry forward Green’s work.
Early voting gave Behn a clear edge, a pattern that’s frustrated Republicans in recent cycles. She banked support from urban Nashville voters worried about grocery prices and housing. Van Epps, though, surged on Election Day, dominating in the district’s conservative rural precincts. That split suggests GOP get-out-the-vote operations—bolstered by Trump’s tele-rallies and House Speaker Mike Johnson’s last-minute swing through Franklin—paid off just enough.
“A special election is an odd thing, anything can happen, so we take no vote for granted,” Johnson said at a rally the day before polls opened, noting how turnout often dips without the usual November fanfare.
The race wasn’t cheap. Super PACs aligned with Trump dumped over $1.7 million into ads boosting Van Epps, while Democrats matched them nearly dollar for dollar through their House majority PAC and Behn’s own committee. Total spending topped $6 million, turning airwaves into a battlefield.
Republicans zeroed in on Behn’s past statements, airing clips where she called herself “a very radical person” and voiced support for defunding the police. One Van Epps spot branded her a “radical disaster,” warning that her agenda meant higher taxes for working families. Democrats fired back, tying Van Epps to what they called Trump’s “toxic” policies, like efforts to roll back health coverage for thousands of Tennesseans.
Van Epps, who served as Tennessee’s commissioner of general services under Gov. Bill Lee, leaned hard into his military credentials and Trump’s backing. In an October interview, he laid out his pitch plainly: campaigning on “security, opportunity and prosperity” and vowing to “pick up the ball and run with it” on border security, a nod to Green’s time leading the House Homeland Security Committee.
Endorsements rolled in from Trump, Green, and state heavyweights like Rep. Diana Harshbarger, whose district neighbors the 7th. Harshbarger, a vocal Trump ally, joined the chorus urging conservatives to show up, especially after Trump’s recent pardon of her husband in a long-ago health care fraud case—a move that drew whispers of favoritism but solidified GOP loyalty in Tennessee.
For Behn, the loss stings in a district where Democrats have made inroads before. She’s built a profile as a progressive organizer, drawing comparisons to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and pulling in old Democrats like Kamala Harris and Al Gore to her events. Yet her old podcast remarks—saying she “hates this city” about Nashville, the very place she now represents—gave opponents endless ammo.
Republicans painted her opposition to releasing Jeffrey Epstein files as suspicious, especially after Trump signed the transparency bill into law on November 21. Was Behn shielding powerful interests, or just toeing a party line? The ads let voters decide, and they leaned toward doubt.
This result offers a mixed signal for Republicans heading into 2026. Holding a safe seat by single digits shows the party’s base remains fired up, but it also exposes cracks. Trump’s direct involvement—phoning into rallies and breaking a social media silence to rally the faithful—kept the race from slipping away. Still, with the House majority hanging by a thread, Speaker Johnson can’t afford many more nail-biters like this.
Van Epps, sworn in soon, has his eye on the Armed Services Committee, where his combat experience as a helicopter pilot could prove useful amid ongoing border and global tensions.
Tennessee’s 7th District delivered what it usually does: a win for the home team. But the close call serves as a reminder that even deep-red ground needs tending, especially when outside money and national narratives turn a quiet special into something bigger. Van Epps takes the oath knowing the work ahead—lowering costs, securing borders, and keeping faith with voters who braved the rain to cast their lot with him.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.