In the aftermath of a noteworthy electoral performance in Tennessee, Democrats are gearing up to broaden their midterm ambitions into traditionally Republican territory. However, many moderate voices within the party caution that they must first address their tarnished national image.
State Rep. Aftyn Behn’s surprising success in a district that President Donald Trump had previously carried by over 20 points has provided a spark of optimism for Democrats, especially following a series of impressive victories last month. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is reportedly set to expand its target list of Republican-held seats beyond the current 35, according to an anonymous source familiar with the committee’s strategy. Senate Majority PAC President JB Poersch noted in a memo to donors that Tuesday’s results indicate that states like Ohio, Florida, Alaska, Texas, and Iowa could become competitive races.
Yet, Behn’s progressive stance, alongside the GOP’s capacity for aggressive spending and criticism of her past remarks on police funding, has ignited internal debates about the direction of the Democratic Party and the profiles of candidates it should endorse in primary elections.
Former Democratic Rep. Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania, who successfully flipped a deep-red district in a 2018 special election, remarked that Behn’s race represented “a missed opportunity.” He criticized the campaign’s approach, suggesting that while Behn energized voters in Nashville, she failed to appeal to more moderate constituents outside the city. “To secure a significant House majority capable of enacting meaningful change, we need to broaden our appeal,” Lamb argued.
This internal discord is emerging despite a string of special election successes this year, where Democratic candidates achieved double-digit victories in New Jersey and Virginia’s gubernatorial races last month. These wins have spurred increased fundraising and recruitment efforts for Democratic candidates.
Behn’s race became a national focal point following these victories, attracting over $3.5 million in outside spending from Republican groups aiming to label her as “a very radical person” in television advertisements. While Behn’s performance was commendable, it was still the narrowest margin of victory for a Democrat in a special congressional election since Trump took office—particularly notable given the lack of substantial outside spending in other races. This led to a flurry of finger-pointing on social media, with many questioning whether a more centrist candidate might have fared better.
During media interviews leading up to the election, Behn defended her previous social media posts, claiming she had “matured” and asserting that decisions regarding police funding should be made at the local level. “I don’t think it’s radical to have spent my entire career advocating for more affordable healthcare and cheaper groceries,” she stated before the election.
Ian Russell, a consultant for Behn’s campaign, countered post-election critiques by emphasizing that her message was “laser-focused on lowering costs,” which polling indicated resonated well with both Democrats and a limited number of persuadable voters. Internal analytics from Behn’s campaign suggested significant turnout from Democrats who had abstained in the 2022 midterms, with early voting data indicating she attracted some voters who previously supported Trump or Republican Rep. Mark Green.
Nonetheless, some Democrats expressed concern over Behn’s “politically toxic positions,” which they believed weighed her campaign down. “Those positions were like anvils,” said Lanae Erickson, a senior vice president at the center-left Third Way.
Following what many perceived as a disappointing election for the GOP, given Democratic overperformances, Republicans were eager to exploit these divisions. “Democrats can dream about expanding the House map all they want, but reality continues to hit them hard,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella stated. “Their party is fractured, their messy primaries resemble a socialist free-for-all, and voters are consistently reminded that the Democratic Party is on the wrong side of every issue.”
Despite these critiques, Behn’s ability to narrow Republicans’ margin of victory, combined with unexpectedly high voter turnout, offers some grounds for optimism for Democrats as they approach the midterms. This optimism is reflected in their strategy to delve deeper into the electoral landscape, eyeing 46 GOP-held congressional seats that Trump won by 13 points or fewer in 2024—an encouraging benchmark given Behn’s performance.
“If Democrats outperform Kamala Harris by 13 points in every district next November, we can flip the House decisively,” asserted Democratic pollster Brian Stryker. “Considering New Jersey and Virginia, it’s clear that if the election were held today, we’d handily defeat the Republicans.”
According to Courtney Rice, the DCCC’s communications director, the committee has commenced the 2026 cycle on the offensive, outlining a list of “Districts in Play” that ranges from true swing districts to those Trump won by 17 points. She emphasized that recent elections demonstrate the efficacy of their strategy to expand the electoral map while holding Republicans accountable for their unfulfilled promises to lower costs.
The Tennessee race, which attracted the attention of both Trump and Harris, also witnessed higher turnout compared to other special elections this year. Votes cast in this special election slightly surpassed the 2022 midterm turnout in the district, representing roughly 54 percent of the total votes cast in the 2024 presidential election. None of the other congressional special elections where Democrats made larger gains this year approached that level of participation.
This high turnout indicates that Behn’s overperformance cannot simply be attributed to favorable low-turnout conditions that typically benefit Democrats. Narrowing the Republicans’ margin during midterm-like turnout provides the party with new reasons for hope as they prepare for 2026.
“There’s a lot of excitement based on what we witnessed in the 7th District,” commented Columbia, Tennessee’s Democratic Mayor Chaz Molder, who is challenging Rep. Andy Ogles in the neighboring 5th District, which includes parts of Nashville along with surrounding suburbs and exurbs. “We received a clear message from voters that they desire sensible leadership and candidates focused on the issues that matter—lowering costs, including housing and grocery prices. Affordability remains a crucial theme, and I’m committed to staying laser-focused on these issues.”
Meanwhile, an Ogles spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
The elevated turnout in the race has unsettled some within the GOP, already facing a gloomy outlook following Democrats’ recent victories. While some continue to dismiss Democratic enthusiasm at the ballot box as a mere off-year quirk, others foresee a challenging electoral season ahead. “The results are more favorable for Republicans than unfavorable, but it’s evident the left is mobilized, and if that trend persists, it will be a tough year for us,” stated Republican strategist Matt Wolking.
Despite Trump’s more vigorous campaigning for Van Epps in Tennessee compared to other races, he has yet to hit the trail himself, instead opting to engage voters remotely from Washington. To maintain control of the House next year, Republicans believe that Trump—who retains a solid grip on his MAGA base—needs to amplify his visibility.
As polls indicate waning confidence in the president’s economic management, Republican insiders stress the necessity for a unified message. Tony Fabrizio, Trump’s chief pollster, advised House Republicans in a closed-door meeting to “stay the course and address the realities of the economy,” suggesting that the close margin was partially due to Van Epps’ economic messaging, as reported by POLITICO.
Some adjustments are already underway. James Blair, Trump’s 2024 political director, indicated that the president is acutely aware of economic conditions. “I believe you’ll see him concentrate heavily on prices and cost of living,” Blair, who now serves as White House deputy chief of staff, remarked in a recent interview.
Speaker Mike Johnson, however, dismissed concerns about the election results, telling reporters, “This doesn’t bother me at all. Democrats poured millions into this, trying to create the illusion of a wave. There isn’t one.”
Lisa Kashinsky contributed to this report.
