Governor Bill Lee has endorsed his former cabinet member, Matt Van Epps, in the special primary election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District.
Pointing to Van Epps’ service in the U.S. Army and in different roles throughout his administration, Lee said his former cabinet member “has the character and the courage to go to Washington and fight for Tennesseans.”
“Matt Van Epps is the conservative, America First fighter we need representing Tennessee…In his time as Commissioner, he worked to cut red tape, increase accountability, and drive government efficiency,” Lee said in a statement. “He will stand fully with President Trump, bringing that same results-driven leadership to Congress to defend our conservative values, and fight back against the liberal policies that threaten our way of life.”
BREAKING: I’m deeply honored by Gov. Lee’s endorsement. In Congress, I will be a defender of the President, a strong conservative voice, and a dedicated representative for the people of TN-7. This is our time-for TN, for America, and for the future we deserve. #MattforTN #TN7 pic.twitter.com/oHNqfOQ9io
— Matt Van Epps for Congress (@MattForTN) September 30, 2025
“My friend Matt Van Epps has my complete and total endorsement, and I look forward to calling him my Congressman. I’ll be casting my vote for Matt, and I encourage all conservatives to join me in doing the same on October 7th,” Lee added.
Van Epps said he was “deeply honored” by Lee’s endorsement of his campaign.
Lee adds his name to a list of high-profile endorsements for Van Epps’ campaign, joining retired U.S. Rep. Mark Green and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH-04) in a notable show of support.
Van Epps graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point as a commissioned officer and served nine combat deployments, including eight deployments as a Night Stalker helicopter pilot with Clarksville’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment – the same special operations unit former U.S. Rep. Green served in.
He continues to serve in the Tennessee Army National Guard after 10 years of Active Duty service.
Van Epps went on to hold multiple roles in Lee’s administration, including deputy chief operating officer in the Governor’s Office, assistant director of procurement and contracts with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, assistant commissioner with the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, and most recently as Department of General Services commissioner.
The last day to vote early in the October 7 primary election is Thursday, October 2.
Van Epps is one of 11 Republican candidates seeking the party’s nomination in the race.
The Secretary of State’s office shows a total of 20,974 absentee and in-person early votes – 11,179 from Republican voters and 9,795 from Democrats – have been cast across the 14 counties that make up the 7th District through Saturday.
Voters who failed to register in time for the special primary have until November 3 to register to vote in the special general election, scheduled for December 2.
Early voting for the December 2 general election will run from November 12 through November 26
The final day for voters to request an absentee ballot for the special general election is November 22.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Matt Van Epps and Gov. Bill Lee” by Matt Van Epps.
Endorsement by RINO Lee is indicator that he’s a yes man.
NOT good.
Not sure that an endorsement from our RINO governor is a positive thing.