Republican Burchett on Tennessee special election: 'We got a real problem' [View all]

Source: The Hill

12/03/25 5:51 PM ET


Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) said Republicans have “a real problem” after the party eked out a narrow victory in a ruby red Tennessee district in Tuesday’s special election.

“I’m always concerned, to be honest,” Burchett told CNN’s Manu Raju when asked about the race, which was more competitive than in recent years. “We got a real problem, and we better wake up,” Burchett added.

Republican candidate Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn by roughly 9 percentage points on Tuesday, in a district that includes part of Nashville and some rural parts of the state. The district voted overwhelmingly for President Trump in 2024, backing him over former Vice President Harris by more than 20 points.

The special election drew a flood of national attention and funds, including from a Trump-aligned super PAC and from high-profile politicians on both sides of the aisle. It was seen as a potential bellwether for next year’s elections, and the closer-than-expected outcome has raised alarm in the GOP that the race could be a bad omen for next year.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5632589-tim-burchett-tennessee-special-election-republicans/