Democrats Dive into Tennessee Special Election with $1 Million Gamble
In a bold move that underscores the national stakes of local elections, House Democrats are entering the fray of an upcoming special election in Tennessee, committing a hefty $1 million to what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested battle for a traditionally Republican congressional seat. This development comes as former President Donald Trump throws his weight behind the Republican candidate.
On Friday, the House Majority PAC, a super PAC that aligns with the Democratic leadership in the House, announced its plan to invest $1 million in television and digital advertisements to support state Representative Aftyn Behn. Behn is set to face off against Republican candidate Matt Van Epps in a district that Trump carried by a staggering 22 points in the 2024 election.
This substantial financial commitment marks a significant escalation for national Democrats, who had previously refrained from making major expenditures in this uphill battle. In contrast, Republicans have already poured more than $1.7 million into the race, bolstered by contributions from Trump-associated super PACs and the Club for Growth.
This week saw both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris stepping into the spotlight of this contest, with Trump hosting a telephone rally to rally support for Van Epps, while Harris participated in a canvassing event for Behn.
While Democratic strategists privately acknowledge that the path to victory is narrow, there is a burgeoning sense of optimism within the party. They point to a recent trend of overperformance at the polls since Trump’s 2024 defeat, suggesting that they might be able to close the gap even in Republican strongholds.
This Tennessee race is notable as it represents the first special election engagement for the House Democrats’ super PAC this election cycle.
Looking ahead, April will bring special elections in Florida for two congressional seats situated in districts where Trump enjoyed a more than 30-point victory. In those instances, Democratic candidates raised millions—primarily through online contributions—but the HMP and other Democratic super PACs chose to stay out of the fray. Republican-aligned super PACs, meanwhile, invested over $1 million in each race. Although both Democratic candidates ultimately lost by about 15 points, they exceeded expectations, demonstrating the potential for competitive races even in challenging circumstances.
Enthusiasm among Democrats is also reflected in the fundraising efforts of the Tennessee candidates. According to a recent report submitted to the Federal Election Commission, Behn has raised just over $1 million since early October, with over half of that amount coming from small donors contributing less than $200. In comparison, Van Epps raised $590,000 during the same timeframe, with a substantial portion of his funding sourced from other political committees.
