Field set for Tennessee 7th Congressional District special election

An Oct. 2 primary is set for a special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

The race to succeed U.S. Rep. Mark Green in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District has drawn 19 candidates, including six state representatives.

The field includes three Democratic and three Republican lawmakers, a Montgomery County commissioner and a former member of Gov. Bill Lee’s administration. 

Green, who retired in July after voting for President Donald Trump’s budget bill, was elected in 2018. He replaced Marsha Blackburn, then running for her first term in the U.S. Senate. 

The 7th District is comprised of portions of Davidson, Williamson and Montgomery counties — the largest population centers of the district — as well as 11 other counties in Middle and West Tennessee. It’s considered heavily favorable to Republicans even after 2021 redistricting drew in portions of traditionally Democratic Davidson County: President Donald Trump won the district in 2024 by 22.3%.

The primary election is slated for October 7 and the general election for December 2. 

Democratic Candidates

• Rep. Aftyn Behn: Behn, a Nashville Democrat, was elected to the legislature in a 2023 special election to replace the late Rep. Bill Beck, who died in June 2023. She was elected to a full term in Nov. 2024. Behn is a licensed social worker. Website: https://www.aftynforcongress.com/
• Darden Copeland: Nashville businessman Copeland is the founder and managing director of Calvert Street Group, a public affairs firm that consults on land use and regulatory issues including landfills, mining operation, NFL stadiums and hospitals. Website: https://www.dardenforcongress.com/
• Rep. Aftyn Behn, Nashville. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennesee Lookout)Rep. Vincent Dixie: Dixie has served in the Tennessee legislature since his 2018 election. A businessman who operates a bail bonds company, he has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s of business administration from Tennessee State University. Website: https://www.dixie4tn.com/
• Rep. Bo Mitchell: Website: Mitchell was elected to the legislature in 2013, with his first term overlapping with his service on Nashville’s Metro Council, on which he served from 2007 to 2015. Mitchell obtained a law degree from the Nashville School of Law. https://www.votebo.com/

Republican Candidates 

• Rep. Jody Barrett: Dickson attorney Barrett has served in the Tennessee General Assembly since his 2020 election. Barrett received a perfect score from the conservative Tennessee Legislative Report Card, which is operated in partnership with Tennessee Stands. Website: https://www.jodybarrettfortennessee.com/
• Rep. Gino Bulso: A Brentwood trial lawyer specializing in personal injury suits, Bulso was elected to the legislature in 2022. He was one of two representatives to oppose a bill banning marriages between first cousins. Website: https://votegino.com/
• Stewart Cooper: Cooper, of Franklin, works in sales for Flagler Technologies, a Florida-based provider of information technology services. Website: https://www.cooper4congress.com/
• Adolph Agbéko Dagan: No information is available for Dagan. 
• Mason Foley: Foley, of Franklin, served as a staff member for U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, from 2020-2022 before joining Main Street Health, which works with Medicaid patients in rural areas. Website: https://foleyforcongress 
• Jason D. Knight: Knight formerly served on the Clarksville City Council and is currently a member of the Montgomery County Commission. He works in information systems management and served nine years on active duty with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division, which is based in Clarksville. Website: https://www.jasonknight.org/
• Joe Leurs: Leurs is a retired non-commissioned officer with the U.S. Marines and retired from the Metro Nashville Police Department. Website: https://www.joeleurs-tn.com/
• Stewart Parks: Parks, a Nashville real estate agent, served time in federal prison for his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol, in which he was charged with disorderly conduct, intent to impede and disrupt the operations of Congress and property theft. President Donald Trump pardoned Parks in January 2025. Website: https://parksfortn.com/
• Rep. Lee Reeves: Reeves, of Franklin, won the Republican primary for House District 65 by less than 100 votes in August 2024, before going on to win the general election. Reeves’ wife, Claire, serves on the Williamson County School Board. Website: https://leereeves.com/
• Matt Van Epps: Van Epps is the former Tennessee commissioner of General Services under Gov. Bill Lee. Prior to that, he worked as vice president of Main Street Health, which coordinates care for Medicare patients in rural clinics. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Van Epps is a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee National Guard. Website: https://www.mattfortn.com/
• Tres Wittum: Wittum is a former Tennessee Senate staff member, who ran for Congress in Tennessee’s 5th District in 2022. He also ran for U.S. Senate against incumbent Sen. Marsha Blackburn in 2024. Website: https://treswittum.com/

Independent Candidates 

• Teresa “Terri” Christi: According to LinkedIn, Christi, of Hickman County, is manager of a wholesale home decor business.
• Bobby Dodge: According to a press release, Dodge, of Franklin, is affiliated with the America Party, recently founded by billionaire Elon Musk.
• Robert James Sutherby: No information is available on Sutherby.
• Jonathan “Jon” Thorpe: Springfield’s Thorpe is a helicopter pilot for AirMethods, an air medical emergency transport service, and flew for Metro Nashville Police and is a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot. Website: https://www.thorpforcongress.com/