U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) on Sunday urged Republicans in the 7th Congressional District to vote for Matt Van Epps, who he called “one of the best candidates in the country,” as he prepared to visit Nashville for a Monday rally with the U.S. Army veteran and former Tennessee state official.
Burchett made the remarks during his appearance on Fox News’ “Big Weekend Show,” telling the hosts that the special election contest between Van Epps and his Democratic opponent, State Representative Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville), is closer than many Republicans anticipated.
“They pumped a ton of money into it, and why did they do that? Because they know Republicans are asleep at the switch again,” said Burchett, before noting that just 12 percent of the electorate typically votes in special elections, with the campaign ground game serving as a deciding factor when it comes to driving out votes.
He told the hosts, “It’s whoever has the best ground game. I don’t know anything about politics anywhere in the country other than Tennessee, and brother I know Tennessee, and that race could get very tight.”
Burchett then argued Tennessee Republicans should be excited to vote for Van Epps on Tuesday.
“You’ve got an excellent candidate this week,” said Burchett, before noting that was scheduled to appear with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) at a rally for Van Epps on Monday. “I think Matt is probably one of the best candidates in the country.”
Middle Tennesseans, make a plan to vote for @MattForTN on Tuesday, and tell your friends to do the same! pic.twitter.com/RICbbVeXET
— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) November 30, 2025
He told the cable network, “He’s a decorated veteran, helicopter pilot, he’s got all the criteria, and he’s an incredibly courageous conservative. He’s articulate. He is the type of candidate we should be pushing.”
Still, Burchett cautioned that Republican voters seem not to vote without President Donald Trump on the ballot, echoing the explanation that Emerson College Polling offered to The Tennessee Star to explain the pollsters’ decision to include fewer Trump voters in its recent survey than the portion of the electorate who voted for the president within the district in 2024.
“Republicans always, we cheer, we elected President Trump, we go home,” said Burchett. “We don’t care about Congress, we don’t care about Senate, we don’t care about school boards, or anything else.”
The congressman ultimately said that he expects Van Epps to win, though cautioned that Democrats, “brought Kamala Harris in for a reason. Because it’s close and they know it.”
Burchett also argued that the Democrats’ decision to nominate Behn, who he described as a “homegrown Marxist,” should serve as a red flag for Republicans.
“She was educated right here in Knoxville, Tennessee, at one of the elite private schools, and now she’s in Nashville, Tennessee, and she’s a Marxist,” said Burchett.
Election Day voters in the district will cast their ballot on Tuesday.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Image “Rep. Tim Burchett” by Fox News.
