Trump calls Tennessee election a ‘big thing,’ says outcome will reflect ‘how we are doing’

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Ahead of the special election in Tennessee’s 7th congressional district, President Donald Trump called it a “big thing,” saying the result could reflect how well the Republican Party is performing nationwide.

He urged voters to turn out and warned that even traditionally safe Republican seats cannot be taken for granted.

Trump calls Tennessee special election a major test for GOP

Trump on Monday, December 1, said that the Tennessee congressional contest between Republican Matt Van Epps and Democrat Aftyn Behn is a “big thing” that will reflect on him and the entire GOP.

“This is a big thing,” Trump said of Tuesday’s special election to fill the vacancy in Tennessee’s 7th District left by former Rep Mark Green (R-Tenn), who retired over the summer.

“They say it’s a sign of how we are doing,” the president added in a tele-rally endorsing Van Epps. 

Trump, who defeated former Vice President Kamala Harris in the same district by 22 points last year, argued that he’ll get bad press if Van Epps doesn’t win by a substantial margin.

“If it’s like two points less than that, they’ll say, ‘Oh, that’s terrible. I guess Trump’s losing his magic,’” the president told voters. “I want Matt to do better than me, even. So whatever you can do, I’ll never forget it.”

Polls show Matt Van Epps and Aftyn Behn locked in tight Tennessee race

The latest polling shows Matt Van Epps and Aftyn Behn running neck and neck, with Van Epps leading the Democratic state lawmaker by just 2 percentage points (48%–46%), according to a surprising survey by Emerson College Polling.

With Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene set to retire in January and two Democratic seats awaiting special elections, Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La) narrow grip on the Republican House majority could slip to a zero-vote margin by next spring if Van Epps loses.

“This is a big deal, because right now we’re like, three votes up on the radical left, and this would be a wonderful victory for us,” Trump said. “It’ll be really a positive sign.”

Mike Johnson backs Trump in urging support for Matt Van Epps

The president joked that if the election “doesn’t work out” for Matt Van Epps, he would get the former Army special operations pilot a job “flying helicopters around, with me in it.”

“But I think it’s going to work out. I don’t think we’re going to have to worry about him. He’s an outstanding guy.”

Johnson, who was also on the call with Trump, echoed the president’s remarks about how crucial the race is.

“It is no secret my majority in Congress is razor-thin … every seat matters more than ever, and that’s exactly why we need Matt here in Washington,” the House speaker said.

Johnson, who spent the day campaigning with Van Epps, described Aftyn Behn as a “far left radical” and “extreme,” pointing to the marquee guest at her get-out-the-vote rally.

“She would be just a rubber stamp for the disastrous agenda of radicals like Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and the rest of them,” he continued.

“Don’t take my word for it, Matt’s opponent is actually having a rally with AOC right now in deep red Tennessee, if you can believe that, even as we speak.”