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Matt Van Epps

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In this Dutch name, the surname is Van Epps, not Epps.
Matt Van Epps
Image
Official portrait, 2026
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Tennessee's 7th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 4, 2025
Preceded byMark Green
Tennessee Commissioner of
General Services
In office
September 17, 2024 – June 10, 2025
GovernorBill Lee
Preceded byChristi Branscom
Succeeded byJeff Holmes
Personal details
BornMatthew Robert Van Epps
(1983-03-29) March 29, 1983 (age 42)
Ohio, U.S.
PartyRepublican
Spouse
Meg Wrather
​
(m. 2023)​
Children1
EducationUnited States Military Academy (BS)
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (MPA)
SignatureImage
WebsiteHouse website
Campaign website
Military service
Branch/service
Years of service2005–2015
2015–present (guard)
RankLieutenant Colonel
Unit160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)
Battles/wars
AwardsAir Medal
Van Epps's voice
Van Epps’s remarks after being sworn in.
Recorded December 4, 2025

Matthew Robert Van Epps[1] (born March 29, 1983) is an American politician and former Army officer serving as the U.S representative for Tennessee's 7th congressional district since December 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected in the 2025 special election.[2] He previously served as the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services from 2024 to 2025.[3][4] He was sworn in on December 4, 2025.[5]

Early life and education

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Matthew Robert Van Epps was born on March 29, 1983. He graduated from Mentor High School in Mentor, Ohio, where he played baseball, football, and was a member of the National Honor Society.[6] After leaving the Army, Van Epps obtained a master's degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.[7][8]

Military service

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Van Epps graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2005 and commissioned into the Army as an aviation officer, serving on active duty for ten years. He currently serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard. During his military career, he was awarded the Air Medal with "V" device, the Bronze Star, and the Meritorious Service Medal.[3][9]

Political career

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Van Epps was appointed commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services by Governor Bill Lee, serving from 2024 to 2025.[3] On June 10, 2025, he resigned from his post to run in the 2025 special election for Tennessee's 7th congressional district, following the resignation of U.S. representative Mark Green.[10]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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2025 special election

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Main article: 2025 Tennessee's 7th congressional district special election

Shortly after announcing his campaign, Van Epps received endorsements from both Green and Governor Lee.[9][11] The 7th district seat, considered a solid Republican district by the Cook Political Report, covers much of Middle Tennessee, including Clarksville, portions of Nashville, and western Williamson County.[11]

In October 2025, President Donald Trump endorsed Van Epps in the Republican primary for the 7th district, describing him as a "MAGA warrior" and a "combat-decorated Army helicopter pilot."[11] Trump's endorsement came four days before the primary election and was followed by the withdrawal of state representative Lee Reeves, who publicly suspended his campaign and endorsed Van Epps.[12]

The Republican primary initially featured 11 candidates, including state representatives Jody Barrett, Gino Bulso, and Reeves, who were considered frontrunners before the endorsement. Following Trump's announcement, most outside spending in the race focused on Van Epps and Barrett.[11][12]

Van Epps won the Republican primary with 51.6% of the vote on October 7, 2025,[13][14] and defeated the Democratic nominee Aftyn Behn in the December 2 special election, with 53.9% of the popular vote.[2]

2026

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See also: 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee § District 7

Van Epps is seeking re-election to a full term.[15]

Tenure

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Image
Image
Rep. Van Epps's other official portraits, c. 2025

Van Epps was sworn into office on December 4, 2025.[16]

On December 9, 2025, Van Epps voted to pass the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025. The act passed overwhelmingly in the chamber, passing in a vote of 399–5.[17] The act extends federal payments to rural counties to support schools, roads, and local services.[18]

Committee assignments

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For the 119th Congress: H.Res. 940

Political positions

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Economic and fiscal policy

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Van Epps is a self-described "fiscal hawk" and conservative Republican whose platform aligns with the "America First" agenda.[20][21]

During the 2025 campaign, Van Epps supported the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a 2025 reconciliation package that extends tax cuts from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, implements welfare reforms, and increases funding for border security.[22][23]

National security and immigration

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Citing his background as a combat-decorated pilot, Van Epps supports a "Peace Through Strength" foreign policy and has advocated for a robust defense budget.[24] On immigration, he supports the completion of the U.S.–Mexico border wall and has called for the deportation of undocumented immigrants with criminal records.[25][26]

Government reform

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Van Epps has been critical of "woke" ideologies within the federal bureaucracy and the military.[27] He supports broad deregulation to stimulate small business growth and has called for a reduction in the size of the federal workforce.[28]

Education

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Van Epps supports school choice and federal policies that allow education funding to follow the student to private or charter schools.[29][30]

Healthcare

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Van Epps has called for reforms to the healthcare system aimed at reducing the cost of prescription drugs through increased market competition.[31] He supports state-level reforms to Medicaid to increase program efficiency and has emphasized a focus on "world-class care" for military veterans.[32] Van Epps has consistently maintained that market-driven solutions and reducing federal bureaucracy are the primary methods for improving healthcare access and affordability.[33]

Second Amendment

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Van Epps identifies as a defender of the Second Amendment and opposes federal measures for stricter gun control.[34]

Personal life

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Van Epps lives in Nashville, Tennessee.[35] He and his wife, Meg, have one daughter.[36][37] Van Epps is a Christian.[38]

Electoral history

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Republican primary results[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Matt Van Epps 19,006 51.56%
Republican Jody Barrett 9,337 25.33%
Republican Gino Bulso 4,005 10.86%
Republican Lee Reeves (withdrawn) 1,929 5.23%
Republican Mason Foley 1,022 2.77%
Republican Stewart Parks 595 1.61%
Republican Jason Knight 381 1.03%
Republican Stuart Cooper 239 0.65%
Republican Tres Wittum 133 0.36%
Republican Joe Leurs 122 0.33%
Republican Adolph Dagan 93 0.25%
Total votes 36,862 100.00%
2025 Tennessee's 7th congressional district special election[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Matt Van Epps 97,034 53.90% −5.60
Democratic Aftyn Behn 81,109 45.06% +7.01
Independent Jon Thorp 932 0.52% N/A
Independent Terri Christie 610 0.34% N/A
Independent Bobby Dodge 198 0.11% N/A
Independent Robert Sutherby 129 0.07% N/A
Total votes 180,012 100.00%
Republican hold

References

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  1. ^ "Van Epps, Matthew Robert – Candidate overview". FEC.gov. Federal Election Commission. January 1, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Armstrong, Gene. "Live results: Tennessee House District 7 special election". CNN. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Housler, Kaitlin (June 12, 2025). "Matt Van Epps Steps Away From Lee Administration to Run for TN-7 U.S. House Seat". The Tennessee Star. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  4. ^ Jarrett, Kim (June 11, 2025). "First candidate for Green's congressional seat announces". The Center Square. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  5. ^ Lee Hill, Meredith. "Van Epps sworn in". Politico. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  6. ^ Jones, Vivian. "From a wealthy Cleveland suburb to Afghanistan to Nashville, who is Matt Van Epps?". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  7. ^ "Congressional candidate. Matt Van Epps – R Tennessee – Previously held positions". LegiStorm. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  8. ^ "Matt Van Epps, MPA | LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Mark Green endorses Matt Van Epps in Tennessee race". WZTV. July 14, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  10. ^ "Van Epps annouces bid for Green seat in Congress, steps down from Lee Cabinet". StateAffairs.com. June 10, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d "Trump endorses Van Epps in Middle Tennessee U.S House race, Reeves drops out • Tennessee Lookout". Tennessee Lookout. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  12. ^ a b Taylor, Sarah Grace (October 4, 2025). "Donald Trump backs Matt Van Epps; another GOP contender drops out". Nashville Banner. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  13. ^ "Tennessee Seventh Congressional District Special Primary Election Results 2025". The New York Times. October 7, 2025. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  14. ^ "Tennessee House Primary Special Results 2025 Live Results". NBC News. October 8, 2025. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  15. ^ Barry, Bruce (January 12, 2026). "Whither Tennessee's 7th Congressional District in the midterms? • Tennessee Lookout". Tennessee Lookout. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  16. ^ Lee Hill, Meredith. "Inside Congress Live Dec 4, 2025". Politico. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  17. ^ Melimopoulos, Elizabeth (December 3, 2025). "Tennessee special election results: What we know about Matt Van Epps's win". Al Jazeera. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  18. ^ Melimopoulos, Elizabeth (December 3, 2025). "Tennessee special election results: What we know about Matt Van Epps's win". Al Jazeera. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  19. ^ Vespa, Matt (February 6, 2026). "Hey, Look Who's Joining the Republican Study Committee". townhall.com. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  20. ^ Melimopoulos, Elizabeth (December 3, 2025). "Tennessee special election results: What we know about Matt Van Epps's win". Al Jazeera. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  21. ^ "Matt Van Epps - Club for Growth". Club for Growth. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  22. ^ Melimopoulos, Elizabeth. "Tennessee special election results: What we know about Matt Van Epps's win". Al Jazeera. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  23. ^ Melimopoulos, Elizabeth (December 3, 2025). "Tennessee special election results: What we know about Matt Van Epps's win". Al Jazeera. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  24. ^ "Trump-backed Matt Van Epps wins GOP primary in Tennessee House race". CBS News. Associated Press. October 7, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  25. ^ "Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special election, 2025". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  26. ^ Melimopoulos, Elizabeth (December 3, 2025). "Tennessee special election results: What we know about Matt Van Epps's win". Al Jazeera. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  27. ^ Melimopoulos, Elizabeth (December 3, 2025). "Tennessee special election results: What we know about Matt Van Epps's win". Al Jazeera. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  28. ^ Chidi, George (December 2, 2025). "Republican Matt Van Epps wins closely watched Tennessee special election". The Guardian. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  29. ^ "Washington, D.C. comes to Nashville as Middle TN U.S. House seat draws national attention". News From The States. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  30. ^ "Congress candidate Matt Van Epps on immigration, health care, I-24, nuclear energy". Clarksville Now. November 12, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  31. ^ Maxwell, Nathan (December 4, 2025). "Matt Van Epps (R) won the special election for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District". Ballotpedia News. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  32. ^ "Republican candidate Matt Van Epps wins Tennessee's 7th Congressional District". Fox 17 Nashville. December 2, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  33. ^ Mattise, Jonathan (December 2, 2025). "Republican Matt Van Epps wins House special election in Tennessee". Associated Press. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  34. ^ Tynes, Gabriel (December 2, 2025). "Republicans maintain control of contested House seat in Tennessee". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  35. ^ "Gov. Lee Announces Key Leadership Transition at TN Department of General Services". tn.gov. Office of the Governor. October 7, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  36. ^ Smith, Chris (October 7, 2025). "'Tonight is not the finish line, it's halfime': Matt Van Epps wins Republican bid to Congress". Clarksville Now. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  37. ^ "Meet Matt Van Epps". Matt Van Epps for Congress. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  38. ^ https://ivoterguide.com/candidate/88567/race/23450/election/1330
  39. ^ "United States House of Representatives District 7 Republican Primary" (PDF). elections.tn.gov. October 8, 2025. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  40. ^ "2025 Tennessee 7th Special Election results by precinct" (PDF). sos.tn.gov/elections/results#2025. Tennessee Secretary of State. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
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