NASHVILLE, Tenn. — State Rep. Aftyn Behn’s campaign intensified its outreach this weekend as Democrats look to build momentum ahead of early voting in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, which opens on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Behn, the Democratic nominee in the Dec. 2 special election, held back-to-back events with Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, underscoring a coordinated push by the party to organize voters in one of Tennessee’s most Republican districts.
Friday’s Town Hall with Jasmine Crockett
On Friday, Behn’s campaign hosted a town hall at Watson Grove Baptist Church in Nashville featuring Rep. Jasmine Crockett. The event was initially billed as an in-person rally, but Crockett appeared virtually after flight cancellations out of Dallas prevented her from traveling.
Speaking via teleconference from home, Crockett urged attendees to stay engaged despite national gridlock. “If November 4 was a preview of things to come, I cannot wait to see what’s going to happen in less than 30 days right there in Tennessee,” she said.
Behn thanked supporters for their volunteer work and acknowledged the challenge of competing in a conservative district, saying, “Tennessee loves a longshot.” The event drew local activists and members of the Tennessee AFL-CIO, which later shared a photo encouraging early-voting participation.
Saturday’s Visit from DNC Chair Ken Martin
The following day, DNC Chair Ken Martin joined Behn for a volunteer rally at Charlotte Park Elementary School in Nashville. Standing on the back of a pickup truck, Martin addressed a crowd of about 80 canvassers preparing to knock on doors and make calls.
“Anyone who’s within 16 points right now is within striking distance,” he said. “And Aftyn is on the verge of making this happen with all your help.”
In comments to NBC News earlier in the week, Martin said Behn has “an excellent shot to win” and highlighted her focus on affordability and economic opportunity as central to the Democrats’ message this cycle. He added that the party is prioritizing voter enthusiasm and grassroots organization in states where Republicans have traditionally dominated.
Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Rachel Campbell said the visit demonstrates a renewed national commitment to organizing in the South. “This is about rebuilding long-term infrastructure and competing in places that have been written off for too long,” she said.
Republicans downplayed the effort. NRCC spokesperson Reilly Richardson said Democrats were “spending resources in a district redder than a Tennessee sunset” and called Behn’s campaign “out of step with Tennessee voters.”
Focus and Outlook
Behn, a Democratic state representative from Nashville, is running against Republican Matt Van Epps, a former state official and Army veteran endorsed by President Trump. The district spans much of northwestern Middle Tennessee, running from Montgomery County’s Clarksville/Fort Campbell area through Dickson, Cheatham, and Robertson counties, and into portions of Davidson and Williamson counties.
Behn’s campaign message has centered on health-care costs and economic affordability. Earlier this week, she joined U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Sheldon Whitehouse at a Nashville event highlighting the potential impact of expiring federal health-insurance subsidies on Tennessee families.
Early voting begins Wednesday, Nov. 12. Election Day is set for Tuesday, Dec. 2.
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