Republican congressional candidates engage voters in Franklin forum

Republican candidates in the election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District faced off in an Aug. 14 forum in Franklin’s Westhaven neighborhood, pitching themselves as the “true Conservative” ahead of the special election to replace now-former U.S. Rep. Mark Green.

Candidates fielded several questions, including what each saw as their "non-negotiable conservative principles” and their largest donors to date, in front of a crowd of more than 100 voters, in an event hosted by the Williamson County Republican Party and Westhaven Conservatives.

District 7 Republican congressional candidates (pictured from left-right) Jody Barrett, Gino Bulso, Stewart Parks, Mason Foley, Stuart Cooper, Matt Van Epps and Tres Wittum appear at a forum in Franklin, Aug. 14, 2025.
Hamilton Matthew Masters

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08142025D7GOPFranklinForum_WEB-3.jpg Mason Foley — Republican District 7 congressional candidate Mason Foley poses for a portrait at a forum in Franklin, Aug. 14, 2025.
Hamilton Matthew Masters

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08142025D7GOPFranklinForum_WEB-4.jpg Stuart Cooper — Republican District 7 congressional candidate Stuart Cooper speaks to supporters outside of a forum in Franklin, Aug. 14, 2025.
Hamilton Matthew Masters

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Elections

Republican congressional candidates engage voters in Franklin forum

Barrett wins straw poll, Reeves criticized for skipping event as District 7 field is set

Matt Masters

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