NASHVILLE, TN –In a high-profile race that closed out this year’s election calendar, Republican Matt Van Epps won the special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District on Tuesday, December 2. His win keeps the solidly Republican seat in GOP hands and preserves the party’s narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Van Epps, a former Army officer and state commissioner, defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn, a progressive state representative. The result prevents a major setback for House Republicans, who have already absorbed several disappointing results in other recent off-year contests. Backed strongly by former President Donald Trump and national Republican groups, Van Epps will serve out the rest of the 119th Congress.

The race filled the vacancy created when former Representative Mark Green, a Republican, resigned in July to take a job in the private sector. For national Republicans, the victory brings a needed morale boost after months of pressure and close calls in other special elections.

A Narrower Win That Worries Republicans

While Republicans kept the seat, the final margin has sparked heavy debate about what it means for 2026. With almost all precincts counted, Van Epps received about 53.9% of the vote, while Behn earned 45.0%.

This single-digit margin, a sharp drop from past results in the district, has become the headline of the race. Trump won the newly drawn 7th District by 22 points in the last presidential election. Mark Green’s final race for the seat ended with a 21-point Republican win. Compared with that history, Behn’s performance stands out and suggests growing Democratic strength in a place long viewed as safe for the GOP.

“Aftyn Behn’s overperformance in this Trump +22 district is historic and a flashing warning sign for Republicans heading into the midterms,” said Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin in a late-night statement. “National Republicans were forced to pull out all the stops, spending nearly $4 million to salvage their candidate in a traditionally safe Republican seat.”

Republicans, however, stressed the bottom line. Van Epps framed the result as proof that close alignment with Trump still pays off in Republican territory.

“This race was bigger than just one campaign,” Van Epps said in his victory speech. “It represented a defining moment for Tennessee and for the direction of the country. Running from Trump is how you lose. Running with Trump is how you win.”

With Van Epps headed to Washington, the House breakdown remains at 219 Republicans and 213 Democrats. That leaves Speaker Mike Johnson with little margin for internal party disputes as Congress approaches key deadlines, including a government funding cutoff in January.

National Spotlight and Heavy Spending

What would usually be a low-key special election turned into a national fight, drawing big money and top political figures from both parties. The heightened attention for a late-year race in a usually non-competitive district showed how much is at stake in a closely divided House.

• Republican Spending Surge: Van Epps benefited from large outside support. The Trump-aligned super PAC, MAGA Inc., spent nearly $1.7 million on the contest, its first major investment since the last presidential cycle. Speaker Mike Johnson and other senior Republicans traveled to the district to raise money and energize conservative voters, arguing that a loss could put the party’s majority at risk.
• Democratic Energy: National Democrats, encouraged by stronger-than-expected results in other special elections this year, treated the Behn campaign as a chance to test their 2026 playbook. The House Majority PAC put more than $1 million into television and online ads. Behn, known in Tennessee for her work as a community organizer and progressive state representative, attracted support from high-profile Democrats. Former Vice President Kamala Harris joined a canvass launch, and former Vice President Al Gore, a Tennessee native, lent his name and voice to the effort.

Behn’s campaign worked to frame the race around everyday economic struggles, such as inflation, health care costs, and rising grocery prices. Democratic strategists already point to that focus on household concerns as a model for upcoming cycles. Republicans responded by labeling Behn an “extreme left-wing radical” and arguing that her positions did not match the values of a conservative-leaning district. That contrast helped Van Epps hold the seat, even as the margin shrank.

The District and the Candidates

Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District covers a wide stretch of central Tennessee. It includes deep-red rural counties along with a key slice of Davidson County (Nashville) that leans strongly Democratic after the 2022 redistricting process.

Matt Van Epps is a West Point graduate and former Army helicopter pilot. Before this race, he served as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services in Governor Bill Lee’s administration. His campaign highlighted his military service and his backing from Trump and former Representative Mark Green. Van Epps ran on a platform centered on border security, conservative social issues, and an “America First” agenda. He pledged to support Trump’s priorities fully if Trump returns to the White House.

Aftyn Behn built her career as a political organizer before winning a seat in the state legislature representing an East Nashville district. Her campaign focused on social and economic justice. She supported abortion rights, the legalization of recreational marijuana, and broader access to affordable health care. Behn ran up large margins in the Davidson County part of the district, which provided the bulk of her vote share and highlighted the growing divide between urban and rural areas in American politics.

What This Means for 2026

For Republicans, the Tennessee special election counts as a necessary hold but also a warning. The party avoided what would have been a shocking loss and the fourth-largest special election flip in two decades. At the same time, a single-digit win in a district that Trump carried by more than 20 points suggests that even once-safe seats might face real competition in the 2026 midterms.

Democrats are already using Behn’s performance to build momentum in other red-leaning districts. They argue that with strong candidates, targeted messages focused on economic pressure, and national backing, they can force Republicans to defend more territory and spend more money at home instead of targeting Democratic-held seats.

For House Republican leaders, the Van Epps victory prevents an immediate setback but does not ease longer-term worries. The close result signals that energized Democratic voters, especially in suburban and urban areas inside red states, could reshape the map in the next cycle.

Both parties now see the Tennessee race as a test run for 2026. It offered clues about which messages connect with voters, where each side must improve, and how much it will cost to hold or flip tightly contested seats.

Vornews.com will continue to follow the fallout from this race as Matt Van Epps heads to Washington and prepares to take his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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Minnesota Terror Claims and Voter Fraud Shake Walz’s 2026 Re-election Hopes

MINNEAPOLIS – Governor Tim Walz’s 2026 re-election bid for an unprecedented third term is under intense pressure, as two major controversies collide: claims of terrorist financing tied to state welfare funds and a mounting voter fraud dispute. Together, they are raising sharp questions about his leadership and Minnesota’s election security.

The most immediate and politically risky threat comes from a new U.S. Treasury Department investigation. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that federal officials will review allegations that Minnesota tax dollars from state welfare programs may have been diverted to the terrorist group Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

This federal probe follows the high-profile Feeding Our Future scandal, a massive fraud case involving millions of dollars in federal nutrition aid meant for children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dozens of defendants, many of Somali descent, have been charged or convicted on counts like fraud and money laundering tied to the scheme. So far, prosecutors have not charged anyone with providing material support to a terrorist group.

Even so, conservative reports referenced by Secretary Bessent and Republican lawmakers claim that millions in stolen aid were sent overseas, with some funds allegedly ending up with Al-Shabaab. Bessent has directly blamed what he calls the “feckless mismanagement” of the Walz administration for allowing the fraud to grow.

Governor Walz, a Democrat, has questioned both the timing and intent of the investigation, which comes from the Trump administration, yet he has said he welcomes outside review. He has insisted he has nothing to hide and said federal help is welcome if it strengthens oversight. At the same time, he has warned that the probe appears tied to a wider push to “demonize an entire community” of immigrants.

The political stakes are high. Minnesota is home to the largest Somali-American community in the United States, a well-organized and politically engaged group that leans toward the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party. Walz now has to defend his administration’s handling of public funds while also responding to accusations of negligence and racist targeting that could depress support among one of his most loyal bases.

Voter Fraud Allegations Target Omar’s District

On top of the welfare fraud and terrorism controversy, a separate issue involving voter fraud has erupted, with new attention on Minnesota’s Somali community and on the district represented by U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar.

Recent court-related developments and social media posts have drawn attention to reports of hundreds of fraudulent voter registration applications submitted in several Minnesota counties. These reports have stirred fresh debate over election integrity at a time when the state is already under scrutiny.

Officials and media accounts have pointed to roughly 600 fraudulent voter registration applications. Many of the questionable forms appear tied to Rep. Omar’s 5th Congressional District, which includes large parts of Minneapolis and has the state’s highest concentration of Somali-American residents.

• The Allegations: While court documents on the 600 disputed applications are still taking shape, the claims echo earlier, unproven accusations of organized “ballot harvesting” and vote-buying inside the community. Those earlier accusations gained national attention after a 2020 video and report released by Project Veritas, a conservative activist group.
• The Context: The focus on Omar’s district, along with her high profile as a frequent target of conservative media and politicians, all but guarantees that these accusations will stay at the center of campaign attacks. Republican critics say the reported flood of suspect registrations shows deep flaws in how Minnesota handles voter registration and verification.

Supporters of Omar and the DFL strongly reject that narrative. They argue that the fraud claims are exaggerated, politically driven, and intended to discredit and suppress high-turnout immigrant voters. Still, when combined with the Feeding Our Future scandal and the new Treasury probe, the voter fraud storyline adds to the sense that Walz’s administration is under siege.

Tim Walz’s Balancing Act: The 2026 Election Picture

Governor Walz now faces the hardest political test of his career. Since Minnesota adopted four-year terms in 1962, no governor has ever won a third full term. Walz was already trying to break that streak. Now he must do it while battling twin political crises that carry both legal and moral weight.

The combination of the two controversies, financial fraud that might have sent taxpayer money to a terrorist group, and voter integrity disputes tied to a key Democratic stronghold, feeds a damaging narrative of “feckless mismanagement”. Republicans are already using that phrase to define the Walz years and to rally voters who are angry about crime, immigration, and election rules.

• Impact on the Base: Walz has to walk a narrow path. He must condemn fraud clearly and cooperate with investigators, yet he cannot appear to endorse the Trump administration’s view that a whole immigrant group is corrupt. If Somali-American voters feel unfairly blamed or abandoned, turnout in the 5th District and similar communities could tumble in 2026.
• The Integrity Message: For Republicans, the 600 suspect voter registrations are a handy state-level example to point to when arguing that Democrats are weak on election security. They are likely to fold Minnesota’s case into their larger national message that elections are at risk under Democratic leadership.

For Walz to stay competitive, he needs to show that his administration moved quickly and responsibly once fraud came to light. He also needs to convince swing voters that the federal probes are shaped by politics and not just public interest, and that Minnesota’s institutions still work.

If the Treasury investigation uncovers clear evidence that Minnesota welfare money ended up in the hands of Al-Shabaab, the damage could be devastating. Likewise, if future court action confirms that the voter registration fraud is larger or more organized than current reports suggest, Walz’s path to a third term could evaporate.

Right now, the spotlight is firmly on him, and every new headline adds weight.

As 2026 gets closer, Minnesota’s image as a progressive success story faces a hard test. Walz, once praised for building broad coalitions, is now trying to stay upright on a political tightrope stretched over accusations of fraud and corruption. Can he revive his “One Minnesota” message, or will these controversies, from alleged hawala transfers abroad to suspect voter rolls at home, define how voters remember him?

The stakes could not be higher. Walz has two choices in front of him: restore public trust and reassure skeptical voters, or risk becoming a cautionary example for the DFL in its own backyard.

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Shadows Over the Ballot Box: Election Integrity Fears Rise Ahead of 2026 Midterms

PHILADELPHIA, PA – A federal appeals court has dealt a serious setback to the Trump administration, ruling that former Trump attorney Alina Habba was unlawfully serving as the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.

In a unanimous decision issued Monday, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit agreed with a lower court that the administration violated federal law in its efforts to keep Habba in the powerful post.

Legal challengers are calling the ruling an important reminder that the White House cannot bypass constitutional and statutory rules to install preferred choices without Senate approval.

How The Administration Tried To Keep Habba In Power

The dispute centers on what happened after Habba’s 120-day interim appointment ended in July. Habba, who had worked as a personal attorney for former President Donald Trump and had no prior experience as a prosecutor, ran into strong pushback from New Jersey’s Democratic Senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim. Their opposition stalled her permanent nomination in the Senate.

When the federal district judges in New Jersey refused to extend her time in the job and instead chose a seasoned career prosecutor to lead the office, Attorney General Pam Bondi quickly stepped in.

Bondi removed the court-appointed replacement and then used a series of administrative moves to put Habba back in charge. Those moves included naming Alina Habba a “special attorney” and then “first assistant,” which allowed Bondi to immediately restore her as Acting U.S. Attorney.

The appeals court rejected that approach and said it was a direct attempt to get around the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and the Senate confirmation process.

“It is apparent that the current administration has been frustrated by some of the legal and political barriers to getting its appointees in place,” the court wrote. “Its efforts to elevate its preferred candidate… demonstrate the difficulties it has faced, yet the citizens of New Jersey and the loyal employees in the U.S. Attorney’s Office deserve some clarity and stability.”

What The Ruling Means And What Could Come Next

The decision upholds the lower court’s order that bars Habba from handling ongoing cases. It also marks the first time a federal appeals court has ruled on the legality of the administration’s contested appointments of U.S. attorneys in different states.

• Impact on cases:
  The ruling puts a cloud over many federal criminal and civil cases that Habba oversaw after July 1. Defense lawyers who disputed her authority say they will keep challenging what they describe as “unlawful appointments.”
• Broader consequences:
  The decision could affect other interim Trump appointees who stayed in their roles through similar tactics. That includes states like Virginia, where another federal judge recently ruled a comparable appointment unlawful.
• Likely Supreme Court fight:
  The administration is expected to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the decision. If the Court takes the case, it could set up a major fight over how far a president’s appointment power goes compared with the authority of Congress and the courts.

This ruling is the second major legal setback in a week for Alina Habba and former President Trump. It follows another circuit court decision that upheld nearly $1 million in sanctions against them for filing what the court called “frivolous” lawsuits.

Who is Alina Habba, ex-Trump lawyer disqualified as top New Jersey prosecutor? offers more background on Habba’s career and the appeals court decision that removed her as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.

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