PAC email written in Behn’s voice raises questions — but not evidence — of coordination

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — An email sent this week by a Democratic-aligned political action committee that appeared to be written directly by State Rep. Aftyn Behn is drawing scrutiny in the final days of Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District special election.

The message, distributed Wednesday by Hold Them Accountable PAC, opened with the line, “Folks, Aftyn Behn here,” and referenced an Emerson College Polling survey showing the Democrat trailing Republican nominee Matt Van Epps by two points. The email urged recipients to donate through the ActionNetwork.org platform and included a disclaimer stating it was paid for by Hold Them Accountable PAC and LMG PAC.

The Tennessee Star drew attention to the message and noted that its format could lead some readers to question whether the email reflected prohibited coordination between the PAC and Behn’s campaign. Federal law bars campaigns and independent-expenditure committees from working together on strategy or communications, though PACs are permitted to create and distribute their own messages without involvement from a candidate.

The wording of the email — written in the first person, referencing polling, and describing campaign-style activity — resembles typical candidate communications and could cause confusion among voters. But based on publicly available information, there is currently no evidence showing the PAC consulted with or received direction from Behn’s campaign.

Small PACs often send messages that imitate a candidate’s tone or style because those messages draw more engagement and fundraising. That practice can give the impression of a connection between a campaign and an outside group even when none exists. According to federal filings, Hold Them Accountable PAC and LMG PAC share a treasurer, a common arrangement for smaller committees. The fundraising link used in the email was hosted by ActBlue, a standard platform for Democratic organizations.

As of Friday, neither the Federal Election Commission nor the Office of Congressional Conduct has issued any comment on the email. Coordination findings in past federal cases typically relied on documented communication or shared strategic activity; no such evidence has been presented in this situation.