Al Gore Steps In to Boost Tennessee Democrat in Crucial S...

...

By Daniel Orton

Editor, Live News

ShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

Former Vice President Al Gore will campaign for Democratic State Representative Aftyn Behn in Tennessee’s high-stakes special election—on the same day President Donald Trump holds a rival televised rally for the Republican nominee. Both campaigns are leaning on big-name surrogates to boost turnout in a tightening race.

The special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, which Trump carried by 22 points in 2024, has become unexpectedly competitive. Republican Matt Van Epps leads Behn 48 percent to 46 percent, according to an Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey published Wednesday. With 5 percent of voters still undecided—and early voting favoring Behn while Election Day voters lean toward Van Epps—turnout may determine the result.

...

Why It Matters

Gore has largely focused on environmental activism in recent years, so a return to the domestic political arena underscores Democratic efforts to energize voters in a state where the party faces steep odds. The outcome of the special election could have key implications for control of the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a wafer-thin majority, currently 219-213. A party needs 218 for a majority, and there are currently three vacancies, with Republican resignations possibly on the horizon.

What To Know

A Saturday post on X from Behn’s campaign announcing Gore’s appearance at a Monday virtual “get out the vote” event was later deleted, but Behn confirmed his participation during a Sunday morning appearance on CNN, calling the former vice president “a Tennessee legend.” She also said New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would attend. A spokesperson for Gore, who served as vice president under President Bill Clinton and earlier as a Tennessee senator and representative, separately confirmed his involvement in an email to Newsweek.

The special election was triggered by the resignation of Republican Representative Mark Green, who left Congress for the private sector earlier this year. The contest between Van Epps, a retired U.S. Army officer and former state commissioner, and Behn, a social worker turned state lawmaker, has become a microcosm of ongoing national debates—touching on the economy, health care, and Trump's approach to leadership.

The official event listing for Behn's "GOTV ZOOM Rally" says it starts at 7 p.m. CT on December 1, and that the Democratic nominee will be joined by "special guests from across Tennessee and beyond."

"We're really grateful for the support across the political spectrum," Behn told CNN, praising "Democrats from all political stripes" for getting involved.

At the same time, Trump is scheduled to headline a rival tele-rally for Van Epps, reported Axios. According to Van Epps' campaign, he will be hosting a GOTV rally at 7:30 p.m. CT on Monday.

That event is also set to feature other high-profile Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, and Senator Marsha Blackburn, who represented the 7th district for 16 years before she was elected to the Senate.

What People Are Saying

Abhi Rahman, Democratic National Committee deputy communications director, previously told Newsweek: "From now until Election Day, the DNC is all gas and no brakes to ensure Tennessee families have a fighter who will lower their costs and won’t bend the knee to Washington Republicans—and that leader is Aftyn Behn."

President Donald Trump addressed voters on Truth Social: "I implore all America First Patriots in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, who haven’t voted yet, to please GET OUT AND VOTE for MAGA Warrior Matt Van Epps... You can win this Election for Matt! PLEASE VOTE FOR MATT VAN EPPS, who has my Complete and Total Endorsement." Trump further stated that Van Epps would "never let you down."

A spokesperson for Matt Van Epps' campaign previously told Newsweek: "The smaller number of Democrats in this district are intensely fired up, but as more Republicans tune in and understand the stakes of the race and the craziness of the Democrat nominee, momentum has shifted toward Trump-endorsed Matt Van Epps. He will win on Tuesday."