Trump endorses Van Epps in Middle Tennessee U.S House race, Reeves drops out

President Donald Trump endorsed Matt Van Epps days before a primary to fill the vacant Tennessee 7th Congressional District seat. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

President Donald Trump endorsed former state General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps in the crowded Republican field for Tennessee’s 7th U.S. Congressional District, four days before the primary election.

Trump in his endorsement, called Van Epps a “MAGA Warrior.”

“A West Point Graduate, and Combat Decorated Army Helicopter Pilot, Matt knows the WISDOM and COURAGE required to Defend our Country, Support our Incredible Military/Veterans, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,” Trump said in a statement.

Shortly after Trump’s endorsement became public, Rep. Lee Reeves, a Franklin Republican, announced he was backing Van Epps and dropping out of the race, citing the endorsement.

“Today, the President called a play I did not expect,” Reeves said in a statement, comparing Trump to a football quarterback.

There were 11 GOP candidates running in the Republican primary to replace former U.S. Rep. Mark Green, who retired in July. Van Epps and state reps. Jody Barrett, Gino Bulso and Lee Reeves were widely considered the frontrunners in the race.

Independent groups have spent $2.5 million in the Middle Tennessee U.S. House primary

The 7th District is a Middle Tennessee-based seat that runs west of the Tennessee River, covering about a dozen rural counties, before taking a claw-like bite out of a third of north and west Nashville and the western half of Williamson County. It’s considered a Clarksville-based congressional district, and the Cook Political Index rated it as a “solid Republican” seat.

Trump’s endorsement of Van Epps  follows Gov. Bill Lee, who publicly backed his former cabinet member’s congressional bid earlier in the week.

Most of the outside spending in the race has focused on Van Epps and Barrett, a Dickson Republican, who opposed Lee’s signature private-school voucher plan.

The Republican winner will face the winner of the Democratic Primary between businessman Darden Copeland and Nashville state reps. Aftyn Behn, Vincent Dixie and Bo Mitchtell.

The primary election will be held on Oct. 7, and the general election scheduled for Dec. 2.