Democratic congressional nominee Aftyn Behn, a Tennessee state representative, is running in a Dec. 2 special election for a vacant U.S. House seat. (Aftyn For Congress)
The district, which is located in central and western Tennessee and stretches from Kentucky to Alabama, is solidly red. President Donald Trump carried the district by 22 points in his 2024 White House victory.
But the district includes parts of the Democratic stronghold of Nashville, Tennessee's capital and its most populous city, and a major national center for the country music industry. The district encompasses parts of north and west Nashville, including the downtown area which has long been a very popular tourist destination.
"The Democrat running in a special election for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, Aftyn Behn, is running on the message: 'I hate this place, elect me!' Tennessee deserves better," the Republican National Committee (RNC) argued in a social media post on Thursday.
Republican groups are pouring plenty of resources into the special election to avoid the possibility of a major upset and protect the GOP's current razor-thin 219-214 majority in the House.
Democrats, energized after their sweeping victories earlier this month in the 2025 elections, are optimistic about their chances in the special election. Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin, who campaigned with Behn recently, argued that she has "an excellent shot to win."
A special election is being held in Tennessee's 7th District to fill the seat left vacant when Republican Rep. Mark Green resigned in June to take a job in the private sector. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Meanwhile, Republican-aligned outside groups are spending big bucks to run ads targeting Behn. As Fox News Digital first reported this week, the Trump-aligned super PAC MAGA Inc. launched spots backed by a seven-figure buy.
A Democratic strategist familiar with the race touted that "this is already a win. The fact that Republicans have spent over $2 million trying to hold a seat that Trump won by 22 points. Whether or not Aftyn Behn wins, overperforms, or loses, this is a win for us because Republicans know just how in trouble they are when they have to fight tooth and nail for a seat like this."
Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in the swing state of New Hampshire. He covers the campaign trail from coast to coast."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/tennessee-democratic-candidate-caught-saying-i-hate-nashville-country-music-resurfaced-clip