NASHVILLE, TN — December 3, 2025
The State of Tennessee has reported the final unofficial results for the December 2 special election in the 7th Congressional District, confirming that Republican candidate Matt Van Epps won the U.S. House seat with all 14 counties reporting their totals.

According to the TENNESSEE SECRETARY OF STATE, Van Epps received 96,988 votes (53.9%), while Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn received 81,044 votes (45.0%), resulting in a margin of 15,944 votes. These numbers reflect the complete preliminary tally submitted by county election commissions to the TENNESSEE COORDINATOR OF ELECTIONS.

The reported outcome aligns with national election reporting agencies and major media outlets that utilized the Associated Press vote feed. Every independent reporting outlet reviewed by Appalachian Post reflected the same vote total and percentage split, and no county-level data contradicted the state’s figures.

At this time, the TENNESSEE SECRETARY OF STATE has not yet posted the final certified results, which typically follow after canvassing and certification procedures are completed. However, the government-published unofficial totals clearly establish the outcome, and no recounts, challenges, or competing tallies have been issued.

This special election was held to fill the seat vacated earlier this year, and turnout across the district varied by county. Once the state publishes the full certification and detailed breakdowns, Appalachian Post will review those documents for confirmation and provide an updated report if new information becomes available.

The Appalachian Post is an independent West Virginia news outlet dedicated to clean, verified, first-hand reporting. We do not publish rumors. We do not run speculation. Every fact we present must be supported by original documentation, official statements, or direct evidence. When secondary sources are used, we clearly identify them and never treat them as first-hand confirmation. We avoid loaded language, emotional framing, or accusatory wording, and we do not attack individuals, organizations, or other news outlets. Our role is to report only what can be verified through first-hand sources and allow readers to form their own interpretations. If we cannot confirm a claim using original evidence, we state clearly that we reviewed first-hand sources and could not find documentation confirming it. Our commitment is simple: honest reporting, transparent sourcing, and zero speculation.

Sources

Primary First-Hand Sources

TENNESSEE SECRETARY OF STATE — Unofficial election results showing vote totals, percentages, and completion of all 14 counties.
TENNESSEE COORDINATOR OF ELECTIONS — State reporting portal used for county-submitted results.

Secondary Attribution-Based Sources

Associated Press — National vote feed consistent with state-reported totals.
PBS — National reporting using AP vote feed.
Fox News — Coverage consistent with state-reported totals.
Al Jazeera — Report confirming the vote percentages and margin.