U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps (R-TN-07) condemned his Democratic challenger Darden Copeland’s position on abortion after Copeland said he would not support politicians imposing restrictions on abortion during an interview Tuesday on The Matt Murphy Show.
The exchange came during the final minutes of Copeland’s roughly half-hour interview with Murphy, when the host pressed the Democratic nominee on whether he believed there should be a point during pregnancy when abortion should no longer be permitted.
Copeland pointed to his seven-year-old daughter when explaining why he opposes government restrictions on abortion.
“I do not want any bureaucrat or politician in her doctor’s office with my little girl if she ever has to make that decision. That’ll be between her, her doctor, and her god. And I’m going to let them make that decision,” Copeland said.
When Murphy asked whether that position applied at any point during pregnancy, Copeland responded, “Yeah. That’s where I am. I just don’t see it.”
Murphy then challenged Copeland on whether his position would permit an elective abortion at eight months of pregnancy, which Murphy labeled as “absurd.”
“Well, we’re going to have to agree to disagree on that one,” Copeland said.
Tennessee’s Human Life Protection Act, which took effect in August 2022, generally prohibits abortion, making it a felony for physicians to perform one except under limited circumstances, including to protect the life of the pregnant woman.
In a statement released Wednesday, Van Epps slammed Copeland for his comments.
I'm appalled. Tennessee, stand with me in defense of life. We need your vote. pic.twitter.com/mx7vZDZhIZ
— Matt Van Epps (@MattForTN) October 21, 2026
“My opponent, Darden Copeland, just admitted that he supports abortion with no limits, including up to the moment of birth. I am appalled at his brazen disregard for the precious gift of life,” Van Epps said. “While serving in the Armed Forces, I risked my life to protect this nation, her citizens, and those unable to defend themselves. For me, that mission continues each day I serve in Washington. I will always fight to defend life.”
“I am proud to live in a state that recognizes the value of unborn life and protects our most vulnerable,” Van Epps added. “While Tennessee has taken a stand to protect the unborn, my opponent supports allowing abortion providers to end those lives, even in the final moments right before birth. Darden Copeland’s extreme position is fundamentally at odds with Tennessee values. He has no place representing TN-07 in Congress.”
Van Epps called out Democratic political groups for trying to portray left-wing candidates as moderates.
“As sickened as I am by Darden’s statements, I’m not shocked. Across the nation, leftist extremism is threatening our values. The Democrat political machine is spending millions to make dangerous, radical leftists like Darden Copeland look like moderates. Not only are these extreme candidates at odds with our values, they’re lying to you about where they really stand,” Van Epps said.
“It’s time for the real Darden Copeland to stand up. I unequivocally denounce my opponent’s repulsive stance on life, and I denounce the radical ideology threatening the things we hold dear,” he added.
Van Epps asked voters to reject Copeland in the November 3 general election.
“On November 3rd, we have a choice between common sense and crazy. Tennessee, stand with me in defense of life. Cast your vote for common sense on November 3rd,” he said.
Watch Copeland’s full interview:
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Darden Copeland” by Darden Copeland.
