Tennessee Special Election Set for Congressional Seat on Dec. 2

A special primary election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District is scheduled for December 2, 2024, as over a dozen candidates vie for their parties’ nominations to fill a vacant seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. This seat became available following the resignation of Mark Green, a Republican, who left his position in July to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

The district, which has long been a Republican stronghold, will likely contribute to the party’s narrow majority in the House. Among the Republican candidates are state representatives Jody Barrett, Gino Bulso, and Lee Reeves, alongside former Tennessee Department of General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps, who has received Green’s endorsement. Other notable candidates include Montgomery County Commissioner Jason Knight and health care businessman Mason Foley.

Candidate Landscape and Fundraising Efforts

The Republican field features a mix of political insiders and newcomers, with Van Epps leading in campaign contributions at approximately $359,000 raised by mid-September. Reeves and Parks follow closely, each raising nearly $270,000, while Barrett has brought in around $242,000.

Despite this financial advantage, Van Epps faced stiff competition from self-funded candidates. Bulso has loaned nearly $494,000 to his campaign, while Foley contributed $325,000, Reeves put in $300,000, and Parks added $67,000. In the Democratic race, businessman Darden Copeland leads with about $335,000 in contributions, supplemented by a $100,000 personal loan.

Democratic candidates also include state representatives Aftyn Behn, Vincent Dixie, and Bo Mitchell. The competition among candidates reflects the strategic importance of this seat in a district that has overwhelmingly leaned Republican for over a decade.

Electoral Context and Upcoming Vote

The 7th Congressional District has historically favored Republican candidates, with Trump capturing roughly 60% of the vote in the 2024 presidential election. Despite this, the district does contain areas that lean Democratic, particularly parts of Davidson County, which includes Nashville. The recent redistricting efforts by state Republicans have contributed to a more favorable landscape for GOP candidates.

On Tuesday, polls will close at 19:00 local time (20:00 ET). Tennessee does not require voters to register by party, allowing any registered voter to participate in the primaries. A law from 1972 stipulates that primary voters should be affiliated with a party, although this law has faced challenges and is not consistently enforced.

The recent state primary saw around 469,000 registered voters in the 7th District, with turnout at approximately 7% for the Republican primary, and around 5% for Democrats. Early voting has accounted for a significant portion of the ballots cast, and nearly 15,000 Democratic and 16,000 Republican primary ballots have already been submitted ahead of the upcoming election.

The Associated Press will provide ongoing coverage of the special primary and subsequent election results, officially declaring a winner once all votes are counted and it is clear that no further challenges can change the outcome. Tennessee law allows recounts only as part of legal disputes, and there are no automatic recounts initiated for close races.

As the candidates prepare for the primary, the implications of this election will extend beyond local politics, potentially influencing the broader dynamics within the U.S. House of Representatives.