Far-Left Democrat Aftyn Behn Represents ‘Woke D.C. Values,’ TN-7 GOP Candidate Lee Reeves Warns

Kaitlin Housler
Lee Reeves

Tennessee State Representative Lee Reeves (R-Franklin), who is seeking the Republican nomination in the race for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, said the contrast “could not be clearer” between him and State Representative Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville), who is seeking the Democratic nomination in the congressional race.

Behn, who was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly in 2023 and quickly aligned herself with the radical left wing of her party, has emerged as the leading candidate among the pool of Democrats seeking their party’s nomination in the special election for the 7th District.

Reeves, who refers to Behn as the “AOC of Tennessee” and has called her out for not residing in the 7th District, said he stands for “Tennessee values” while Behn stands for “woke D.C. values.”

“The issues that I’m talking about are applicable to citizens and voters in all of [the 7th District]. We’re talking about immigration, we’re talking about the economy and growth. We’re talking about going up to D.C. and cutting the budget in important ways that actually make sure that we’re stable as a nation. We’re talking about the right to life and supporting parental rights. Those issues actually cut across all of those districts, whether you’re urban or suburban or rural,” Reeves said on Monday’s edition of The Michael Patrick Leahy Show.

“I represent Tennessee values. [Behn] represents woke D.C. values. I know which side I’m on,” he added.

Reeves said, for example, he strongly supports U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cooperation through 287(g) agreements, advocating for local law enforcement to assist federal immigration efforts, while Behn opposes ICE and has gone so far as to impede immigration enforcement operations in Nashville.

“The contrast really could not be clearer because I’m the leading elected official in Tennessee right now promoting ICE cooperation agreements called 287(g) agreements with our local sheriffs so that they can serve warrants for ICE inside a controlled environment instead of letting people out and trying to serve those warrants in our neighborhoods…It’s a no-brainer…I just can’t imagine why you would be against that in the State of Tennessee,” Reeves explained.

Reeves further framed illegal immigration as a clear-cut issue where voters can choose between his stance and that of his Democratic opponents.

He pointed out the financial burden illegal immigration has had on Tennessee, citing a 2023 cost of $971 million, and rhetorically asked how many roads that money could have built – highlighting the opportunity cost for Tennessee taxpayers.

“Honestly, I’m glad to have an issue like that, that we can go to the voters and ask what they want… I am for Tennessee values. I am for keeping our streets safe. Did you know that it actually cost the state of Tennessee almost a billion dollars back in 2023? That’s the most recent number I can find – $971 million is the impact that illegal immigration has had on the state of Tennessee. How many roads would that build?” Reeves said.

Concerning fundraising and reaching out to voters in the 7th District, Reeves, who has since deposited $300,000 of his personal funds into his own campaign account, warned that Behn is expected to raise money from progressive donors across the country and bring in liberal influence from outside the state into the race.

“Democrats are coming together and they are coming after this seat, but they’re not going to get it…They are coming to play. They will make a play. They will pump a lot of money into this race and we’re going to see a real scrap for this seat,” Reeves said.

“I can’t think of anybody else in this race that is better prepared to stand up to them than I have. I’ve actually stood up to each one of these folks on the floor of the house in Tennessee and won, and we’ll win again,” he added.

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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.

 

 

 

 

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