Congressional candidates dropping, adding in Tennessee District 7 race

State House Rep. Vincent Dixie, a Nashville Democrat, announced Tuesday he will run for Congress in a special election to be held in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Shakeup is roiling the race for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District as a Democrat enters the field and a Republican drops out of the special election.

Democratic state Rep. Vincent Dixie of Nashville announced Tuesday he is running for the seat being vacated by Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Green of Ashland City, while Republican state Rep. Jay Reedy of Erin said he decided not to enter the race despite filing paperwork with the Federal Election Commission.

A year after reneging on a decision to step down, Green announced he would leave Congress after voting for President Donald Trump’s spending plan, which narrowly passed with permanent tax cuts for the wealthy and increased spending for border patrol amid reductions for Medicaid, food stamps and clean energy programs.

Dixie accused Green of leaving Congress after voting in favor of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” which he said will “devastate communities.”

“I’m not running from the fight — I’m running to it. Because no one is looking out for the folks who cook our meals, teach our kids, and care for our loved ones. And that has to change,” Dixie said in a statement.

Dixie was the first Black lawmaker to chair the House Democratic Caucus and sparred frequently with Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton. He passed legislation to give minority students a better chance to take advanced classes in public schools.

Other Democrats seeking the post are state Rep. Bo Mitchell of Nashville and state Rep. Aftyn Behn, who lives just outside the 7th District in East Nashville. Election law only requires a candidate to live in the state in which they plan to run, not the congressional district. 

The district encompasses parts of northern Nashville, Clarksville, and half of Williamson County, as well as about a dozen other Middle Tennessee counties.

Reedy was prepared to enter the race three weeks ago but backed out after exploring his options.

“In the name of conservative leadership, we have much work to finish. I look forward to continuing to serve the people of District 74,” Reedy said in a statement in which he touted the state legislature’s banning of sanctuary cities and repeal of the Hall income tax on investment earnings.

Republicans seeking the post are former Tennessee General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps, state Rep. Jody Barrett of Dickson, state Rep. Lee Reeves of Franklin, Montgomery County Commissioner Jason Knight of Clarksville and U.S. Army veteran Jonathan Thorp of Clarksville. Mason Foley, who works for Main Street Health, also filed candidate paperwork with the Federal Election Commission. 

Stewart Parks, who served time in federal prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot — and was pardoned by President Donald Trump  — announced his candidacy at a Benton County Republican Party event last week. 

Gov. Bill Lee set Oct. 7 as the date for the primary election and Dec. 2 for the general election.