American musician Kid Rock and former President Donald Trump have endorsed Matt Van Epps for Congress in the upcoming special election in Tennessee. Van Epps, who previously served as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, is competing to replace Mark Green, a Republican who resigned on July 4, 2023. His departure from Congress was finalized on July 20, as he transitions back to the private sector.
In a campaign video shared on Van Epps’ X page, Kid Rock, whose legal name is Robert Ritchie, emphasized the importance of supporting a candidate who prioritizes American values. “It shouldn’t be rocket science kids,” he stated. “We got somebody who’s served our country that’s willing to put America first against this left-wing lunatic nut job.”
The Democratic challenger in this race is Aftyn Behn, a state representative. Recent polling indicates a competitive landscape, with Van Epps and Behn nearly tied. An Emerson College/The Hill survey reveals Van Epps at approximately 48%, while Behn follows closely at 46% among likely voters and those who have already cast their ballots. About 5% of voters remain undecided, with a margin of error of 3.9 points.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and former Congressman Green have also thrown their support behind Van Epps. He has actively communicated his campaign message, stating on X, “No lunatics in our Tennessee politics. TN07, vote red on December 2nd.”
Trump first expressed his endorsement for Van Epps in October via Truth Social, urging supporters in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District to participate in the electoral process. “I am asking all America First Patriots in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, who haven’t voted yet, to please GET OUT AND VOTE for MAGA Warrior Matt Van Epps,” Trump wrote. He emphasized the significance of every vote, stating, “Polls close at 12:00 P.M. NOON in most of TN-07, and every vote counts. IF YOU ARE IN LINE BY 12:00 P.M., STAY IN LINE, AND THEY MUST LET YOU VOTE!”
As the election approaches, early voting ends on November 26, 2023, with Election Day set for December 2, 2023. The outcome of this special election will have implications for the balance of power in Congress and reflect the political climate in Tennessee. With both candidates focused on their core messages, the race is poised to capture significant attention in the coming days.
