In a show of force, Republicans rallied behind their 7th Congressional District nominee Matt Van Epps in Franklin on Monday morning, including an appearance by U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and a phone call from President Donald Trump.
The event featured remarks from more than a dozen speakers, including Gov. Bill Lee, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Rep. John Rose and several of Van Epps’ former Republican opponents in the special election. Speakers spent much of their stage time criticizing Van Epps’ opponent, state Rep. Aftyn Behn, calling her, among other things, “a homegrown Marxist,” who “represents all that's wrong with this country.”
U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (left) speaks to reporters following a rally in support of Republican 7th district congressional nominee Matt Van Epps (right) in Franklin, Dec. 1, 2025.
Republican voters applaud Pres. Donald Trump who rallied voters on a phone call with U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson in support of Republican 7th district congressional nominee Matt Van Epps in Franklin, Dec. 1, 2025.
U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson calls President Donald Trump on his cell phone during a rally in support of Republican 7th district congressional nominee Matt Van Epps in Franklin, Dec. 1, 2025.
Tennessee GOP Chairman Scott Golden speaks to voters at a rally in support of Republican 7th district congressional nominee Matt Van Epps in Franklin, Dec. 1, 2025.
Ahead of election day, Tennessee Republican elected officials and national GOP leaders showed their support for Matt Van Epps in the race for the 7th Congressional District. Van Epps faces democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn for the seat left vacant by former U.S. Rep. Mark Green's retirement.
U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (left) speaks to reporters following a rally in support of Republican 7th district congressional nominee Matt Van Epps (right) in Franklin, Dec. 1, 2025.
Hamilton Matthew Masters
Republican 7th district congressional nominee Matt Van Epps speaks in Franklin, Dec. 1, 2025.
Hamilton Matthew Masters
Republican voters applaud Pres. Donald Trump who rallied voters on a phone call with U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson in support of Republican 7th district congressional nominee Matt Van Epps in Franklin, Dec. 1, 2025.
Hamilton Matthew Masters
U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson calls President Donald Trump on his cell phone during a rally in support of Republican 7th district congressional nominee Matt Van Epps in Franklin, Dec. 1, 2025.
Hamilton Matthew Masters
State Rep. Jody Barrett speaks to voters rally in support of Republican 7th district congressional nominee Matt Van Epps in Franklin, Dec. 1, 2025.
Hamilton Matthew Masters
Tennessee GOP Chairman Scott Golden speaks to voters at a rally in support of Republican 7th district congressional nominee Matt Van Epps in Franklin, Dec. 1, 2025.
