The person behind the name
Matt Van Epps’s public career runs from Army aviation through Tennessee state administration to a House seat won in a 2025 special election.
Van Epps represents Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House. The Clerk of the House records his oath of office as December 4, 2025, two days after a special election to fill the seat of Mark Green, who resigned on July 20, 2025. He was unopposed in the August 6, 2026 Republican primary. Tennessee Lookout and Clarksville Now report that he faces Democrat Darden Copeland on November 3, 2026. [1][2][3][4][8][9]
Education and military service
His official House biography identifies him as a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and “a proud member of the Class of 9/11.” It says he holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ballotpedia lists his West Point bachelor’s degree as political science and mechanical engineering. [7][10]
The same biography says he served ten years on active duty as an Army aviator and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. It says he flew and commanded missions in the AH-64D Apache and the MH-47G Chinook and served with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. He continued in the Tennessee Army National Guard and rose to lieutenant colonel. The biography prints no dates for that service. [7]
State government and private work
Governor Bill Lee announced on September 16, 2024 that Van Epps would become commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services effective October 1, succeeding Christi Branscom. The release lists earlier roles in the Lee administration: deputy chief operating officer in the governor’s office, strategic planner with the COVID-19 Unified Command Group, assistant director of procurement and contracts at the Department of Transportation, and assistant commissioner at the Department of Veterans Services. [5]
At the time of the appointment, the release described him as a consultant and a member of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, and as a former senior vice president of operations at Main Street Health, which it called a start-up focused on rural health care. Ballotpedia also lists him as founder of a consulting firm, Darkhorse Strategy, LLC. His campaign biography mentions a veteran-owned firm focused on national security and conservative policy initiatives, without naming it. [5][10][11]
He stepped down as commissioner on June 10, 2025, the Tennessee Star reported. Tennessee Lookout reported the same day that he had announced a bid for the 7th District seat. [6][12]
A note on “combat decorated.” The campaign homepage carries the phrase “Combat Decorated Army Helicopter Pilot.” The same wording appears in Donald Trump’s October 2025 endorsement, as quoted by CBS News and the Associated Press. His official House biography and the governor’s 2024 announcement describe his service without naming specific awards. This profile therefore names no decorations. [5][7][13][14]
Life & public service
The documented milestones run from a 2024 cabinet appointment to a first full-term campaign in a district redrawn five months after he took office.
Army aviation, then state posts
His official biography describes ten years on active duty as an Army aviator, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, followed by Tennessee Army National Guard service. The governor’s office lists later roles in the Lee administration, including deputy chief operating officer. Neither source prints dates. [5][7]
Named General Services commissioner
Governor Bill Lee announced the appointment on September 16, effective October 1. Van Epps succeeded Christi Branscom. [5]
General election
Clarksville Now’s ballot guide lists Van Epps, Copeland and independents Andrew Koontz and Lowell Reynolds for November 3. [3]
Accomplishments, in the record
Legislation and official documents establish the following work. Outcomes are described at the level supported by those records, with shared credit where other officials were principal authors.
Leading the Department of General Services
Governor Bill Lee’s office announced on September 16, 2024 that Van Epps would become commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services effective October 1. He succeeded Christi Branscom, who had served nearly six years. The release cites his Tennessee Army National Guard service and earlier roles in the administration. [5]
The announcement documents the appointment, not results. It does not describe what he did in the post, which he held for about eight months before stepping down on June 10, 2025 to run for Congress, according to the Tennessee Star. [5][6]
Winning the 7th District seat
Ballotpedia’s results table for the December 2, 2025 special general election shows Van Epps with 95,470 votes, 53.8 percent, and Democrat Aftyn Behn with 80,181 votes, 45.2 percent, of 177,504 cast. Four independents shared the remainder. The Clerk of the House records his oath of office two days later. [4][8][10]
The Tennessee Secretary of State’s results pages could not be retrieved for this review. The totals are therefore cited to Ballotpedia rather than to the certified state report. [10]
Homeland Security and Science seats
The Clerk lists Van Epps on the Committee on Homeland Security, with seats on its Counterterrorism and Intelligence and its Transportation and Maritime Security subcommittees. He also sits on the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and its Environment subcommittee. His office announced the two committee appointments on December 18, 2025. [4][16]
On February 6, 2026 his office said he had joined the Republican Study Committee, which the release calls the largest conservative caucus in Congress. [26]
A first bill through the House
Van Epps introduced H.R. 8168, the Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act, on March 30, 2026. The official bill status lists one cosponsor, Rep. Nellie Pou, a New Jersey Democrat. The Homeland Security Committee reported the bill on July 9, and the House passed it by voice vote on July 13. [19]
His office says the bill requires a comprehensive assessment for Congress of foreign terrorist organizations operating in major non-NATO ally countries and of each partner’s capacity to counter them. The Senate received the bill on July 14 and referred it to committee. It has not become law. Pou is also his co-lead on a March 2026 bill to overhaul the National Terrorism Advisory System. [17][19][22]
The Gold Star death-gratuity measure
On March 12, 2026 Van Epps, Rep. Jen Kiggans and Rep. Jill Tokuda introduced the HONOR Gold Star Families Act. As introduced, it would have doubled the military death gratuity from $100,000 to $200,000 and added a cost-of-living adjustment. [18]
The version that advanced was smaller. His office reported on June 5 that core components were included in the House defense authorization bill, raising the payment to $165,000 with a cost-of-living adjustment. The release says the amendment was introduced by Kiggans and supported by Tokuda, and calls it the first major update since 2006. The House passed that bill, H.R. 8800, on July 22; it was not law at review. [24][27]
Four amendments in the House defense bill
His office said on July 22, 2026 that four of his amendments were included in the House version of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. They are the Gold Star measure, a Fort Campbell water and wastewater infrastructure amendment, a required report on moving defense prototypes into programs of record, and a production-plan requirement for major defense contractors. [25]
The Clerk’s tally shows the bill passed 216–212, with Van Epps voting yea. These are provisions of a House-passed bill as described by his office. The Senate received the bill on September 14, 2026, the latest action recorded at review, and final text may differ. [23][24]
Two bills at the introduction stage
On June 9, 2026 Van Epps introduced the House version of the Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act, a Senate bill by Sen. Tom Cotton. His office says it would authorize critical infrastructure operators to detect, track and neutralize unauthorized drones over protected sites, and would create a grant program for approved technology. [28]
On September 15, 2026 he and Rep. Betty McCollum, a Minnesota Democrat, introduced the Critical Materials Future Act. His office says it would establish a pilot program at the Department of Energy and identifies S. 596, by Sen. John Hickenlooper, as the Senate companion. Neither House bill had advanced at review. [29]
Votes on the Court and DHS funding
On September 2, 2026 Van Epps voted yea on H. J. Res. 1, a proposed constitutional amendment to fix the Supreme Court at nine justices. The Clerk’s tally was 212–206, short of the two-thirds required, and the measure did not pass. [30]
His office said on April 29, 2026 that he had voted that week to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection “via a reconciliation bill,” during a Department of Homeland Security funding lapse that the release says began February 14. In the same release he urged colleagues to pass “this budget resolution” and blamed congressional Democrats for the lapse. The release gives no roll-call number, and this review did not match it to a Clerk record. It is his office’s account and does not present the Democrats’ position. [31]
Faith, family & community
The official House biography says Van Epps lives in Nashville with his wife and child. The governor’s 2024 announcement and the campaign biography both refer to his wife and daughter. None of these pages names them, and this profile does not. [5][7][11]
The campaign biography describes him as “an active member of his local community and church,” and the campaign’s issues page calls him “a man of faith.” Neither page names a congregation or denomination. This profile makes no claim about either. [11][32]
The campaign biography also credits him with developing the Governor’s Veteran Fellowship Program while in state government. That is the campaign’s account. The governor’s 2024 release recorded his membership on the Tennessee Higher Education Commission at that time; it is a historical record, not confirmation of a current appointment. [5][11]
His mission for Tennessee
Keeping our borders secure, rebuilding our military strength, protecting American workers, and restoring the values that make our nation great.
The following summarizes the agenda on Van Epps’s official campaign website. These are stated positions and proposed priorities, not completed accomplishments. [13][32]
01Economy, manufacturing & technology
02Veterans
Reform the Department of Veterans Affairs, reduce red tape, and ensure veterans can reach the health care, benefits and services they have earned. [32]
03Border security
04Agriculture & rural health care
Protect farmers from what the campaign calls overregulation and “foreign land grabs,” defend property rights, and expand rural health care. [32]
05Second Amendment
The site calls the Second Amendment “a fundamental guarantee that must be protected for future generations” and pledges to defend the right of law-abiding Americans to keep and bear arms. [32]
06Abortion
The site says “every life is a gift from God and must be protected” and pledges to ensure that taxpayer dollars are never used to fund abortion. [32]
07Sports & gender-transition policy
He opposes allowing “biological men to compete in women’s athletics” and says he will back a ban on taxpayer-funded gender surgeries. The site also states opposition to such procedures for minors. [32]
08Israel & Iran
The site calls Israel “America’s closest ally in the Middle East” and pledges to oppose Iranian aggression, fight antisemitism, and ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself. [32]
How to assess a proposal. A campaign plan states an intention. Enactment, implementation costs, replacement revenue, and measured results are separate questions. These priorities should be read alongside the documented record above.
The fuller record
A useful profile includes policy tradeoffs, the limits of a claim, and responses to material criticism.
A nine-point win where Trump won by 22
Van Epps won the December 2025 special election 53.8 percent to 45.2 percent, according to Ballotpedia. Tennessee Lookout noted on election night that Donald Trump had carried the district by 22 points in 2024. A January 2026 Lookout commentary by Bruce Barry argued that Behn’s campaign “moved the district 13 points in a blue direction.” Van Epps drew the opposite lesson in his victory remarks: “running away from Trump is how you lose, running with Trump is how you win.” One special election, held under the old lines, does not establish how the redrawn district will vote. [8][33][34]
Outside money in the 2025 primary
Tennessee Lookout reported on October 3, 2025 that independent groups had spent nearly $2.5 million in the special primary, most of it aimed at Van Epps and a rival, state Rep. Jody Barrett. It reported that Conservatives For American Excellence had spent almost $600,000, “about half to oppose Barrett and half to support Van Epps,” and that a group called the “Patriotic Fund” had put more than $300,000 behind him. On the other side, it reported, the House Freedom Action Fund had spent $450,000, “with about two-thirds of the funds supporting Barrett and the remainder opposing Van Epps.” Independent expenditures are made outside a candidate’s control, and the report does not allege coordination. His own committee, Matt Van Epps for Congress, reported total receipts of $2,300,690.32 for April 1, 2025 through July 17, 2026, including $582,300.00 from other political committees and no contributions from the candidate. [35][36]
A district redrawn before the election
Van Epps is not running in the district that elected him in 2025. Tennessee Lookout reported that Republican legislators redrew the state’s U.S. House map in a May 2026 special session called by Governor Lee, who signed it on May 7. The outlet described the map as gerrymandered to flip the Memphis seat held by Democrat Steve Cohen. The new 7th District takes in western and northern Davidson County, most of Sumner and Montgomery counties, and Cheatham, Dickson, Robertson, Trousdale and Macon counties, and drops six rural counties. The Tennessee Democratic Party, four Democratic candidates and four voters filed a federal challenge on May 8; the Lookout reported on May 18 that a federal judge had declined to block the map. Clarksville Now noted that the new district no longer includes Fort Campbell and summarized a July podcast in which Van Epps discussed how the change could help the post. The sources reviewed do not show a role for Van Epps in drawing the map, which was a state legislative act. [20][21][37][38]
Criticism of his alignment with Trump
Democratic nominee Darden Copeland told Tennessee Lookout in July 2026 that Van Epps “will never be his own man” and has “pledged blind allegiance to Trump and Speaker (Mike) Johnson.” Copeland also said Van Epps agreed when Trump said he did not need congressional approval to enter a war. The article cites no specific vote, this review did not identify one, and the article carries no response from Van Epps. His own statements embrace the alignment. On election night in 2025 he said, “In Congress, I will be all in with him,” and his campaign site says he is “fully committed to advancing President Trump’s America First agenda.” Heritage Action’s scorecard showed a 100 percent session score at review. His term began in December 2025, and the page as read did not show how many votes were scored. [4][32][33][37][39]
Epstein files and a health-care attack
During the 2025 campaign, Tennessee Lookout columnist Sam Stockard reported that Van Epps told reporters he supported Speaker Mike Johnson’s approach to the Epstein files, which Stockard characterized as “more or less slow-walking them through Congress.” That characterization is the columnist’s. The same column reported that a political committee, Engage, Y’all PAC, accused Van Epps of supporting a law that it said raises health insurance and grocery costs. The column records no reply to that ad. It notes that his own first general-election ad said his next “mission” was to lower prices, reduce health-care costs and bring in jobs. [40]
Questions & answers
Who is Matt Van Epps?
What office is Matt Van Epps running for in 2026?
Who is Matt Van Epps running against?
When is the election?
The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, according to Clarksville Now’s ballot guide. [3]
What are Matt Van Epps’s main campaign priorities?
What has Matt Van Epps done in office?
He sits on the Homeland Security and the Science, Space, and Technology committees. His H.R. 8168 passed the House by voice vote on July 13, 2026, and his office says four of his amendments were included in the House-passed fiscal 2027 defense bill. Neither measure had become law at review. [4][19][24][25]
The sources behind the story
Primary government documents anchor the record. Official biographies establish attributed background; original reporting supplies election results and scrutiny. Campaign materials are used for the candidate’s own priorities and claims.
- 01How Montgomery County voted in governor, Congress, Senate primariesClarksville Now · Aug. 6, 2026
Chris Smith’s primary-night report: Van Epps unopposed for the Republican nomination; Copeland won a four-way Democratic primary with 40% of the vote. Unofficial election-night figures.Independent reporting - 02TN US House District 7: Copeland defeats Dixie in Dem primary, setting up matchup with Van EppsTennessee Lookout · Aug. 6, 2026
Adam Friedman’s primary-night report: the Associated Press call for Darden Copeland, the November matchup with Van Epps and the shape of the redrawn district. Percentages were partial counts, not certified totals.Independent reporting - 03Who’s on November ballot for governor, Congress, legislature, City of Clarksville racesClarksville Now · Aug. 21, 2026
Chris Smith’s ballot guide, current as of September 15 by its own account, lists the District 7 field: Van Epps, Copeland and two independents. A news list, not the Secretary of State’s certified list.Independent reporting - 04Matt Van Epps: member profileOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Accessed Sep. 17, 2026
Official House record of party, district, Nashville hometown, the December 4, 2025 oath of office, and committee and subcommittee assignments.Government / regulatory record - 05Gov. Lee Announces Key Leadership Transition at TN Department of General ServicesOffice of Governor Bill Lee, State of Tennessee · Sept. 16, 2024
Official announcement of his appointment as General Services commissioner effective October 1, 2024, with a summary of earlier state and private roles. It does not describe results or record when he left.Government / regulatory record - 06Matt Van Epps Steps Away From Lee Administration to Run for TN-7 U.S. House SeatThe Tennessee Star · June 12, 2025
Kaitlin Housler’s report, used here only for the date he stepped down as commissioner and his status as the first declared candidate.Independent reporting - 07About Congressman Matt Van Epps: official biographyOffice of U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps · Accessed Sep. 17, 2026
Official biography: West Point, ten years of active-duty Army aviation, Tennessee Army National Guard rank, state posts and a University of North Carolina degree. It names no decorations and prints no dates of service.Government / regulatory record - 08Matt Van Epps (R) won the special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional DistrictBallotpedia News · Dec. 4, 2025
Nathan Maxwell’s summary of the December 2, 2025 special election: 53.8% to 45.2%, the field, and Mark Green’s July 20, 2025 resignation.Independent analysis / professional record - 09Sample ballot: August 6, 2026 State and Federal Primary, County General, Oak Hill Municipal ElectionDavidson County Election Commission, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County · Aug. 6, 2026
Official county sample ballot. It lists Van Epps as the only Republican primary candidate for U.S. House District 7 and four Democratic primary candidates. The county had not posted a November ballot at review.Government / regulatory record - 10Matt Van EppsBallotpedia · Accessed Sep. 17, 2026
Results tables for the 2025 special primary and general election, cited because the Tennessee Secretary of State’s results pages refused automated fetches; also degrees and private-sector roles. Its 2026 candidate listing looked out of date and is not used.Independent analysis / professional record - 11Meet MattMatt Van Epps for Congress · Accessed Sep. 17, 2026
Campaign biography: military and state service, family, church and a veteran-owned firm. Self-description; it names no congregation or firm and gives no dates.Campaign source - 12Potential replacements for Tennessee U.S. Rep. Green line upTennessee Lookout · June 10, 2025
Sam Stockard’s report that Van Epps, then General Services commissioner, announced his bid for the 7th District seat as Mark Green prepared to resign.Independent reporting - 13Matt Van Epps for Congress: official campaign homepageMatt Van Epps for Congress · Accessed Sep. 17, 2026
Campaign self-description, headline priorities, social links and the committee disclaimer. The phrase combat decorated is the campaign’s.Campaign source - 14Trump-backed Matt Van Epps wins GOP primary in Tennessee House raceCBS News / Associated Press · Oct. 7, 2025
Wire report of the October 7, 2025 special primaries, with the text of Donald Trump’s endorsement and Mark Green’s stated reason for resigning.Independent reporting - 154 highlights from Congress primary election in Tennessee | ANALYSISClarksville Now · Oct. 8, 2025
Chris Smith’s analysis of the 2025 special primary: the 11-candidate Republican field, the three major endorsements and rounded vote totals. Labeled analysis.Independent reporting - 16Congressman Matt Van Epps is Assigned to the Homeland Security and Science, Space, and Technology CommitteesOffice of U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps · Dec. 18, 2025
Official announcement of his two committee appointments, with his statement.Government / regulatory record - 17Reps. Van Epps and Pou Introduce National Terrorism System OverhaulOffice of U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps · Mar. 4, 2026
Official release on a bill, co-led with Rep. Nellie Pou of New Jersey, to update the National Terrorism Advisory System. Introduction only.Government / regulatory record - 18Reps. Van Epps, Kiggans, Tokuda Introduce Legislation to Double Gold Star Family Bridge PaymentOffice of U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps · Mar. 12, 2026
Official release on the HONOR Gold Star Families Act as introduced: $100,000 to $200,000 with a cost-of-living adjustment. The release prints no bill number.Government / regulatory record - 19H.R. 8168 (119th Congress): bill statusU.S. Government Publishing Office, govinfo bulk data · Accessed Sep. 17, 2026
Official bill-status record: sponsor, cosponsor, committee report and House passage by voice vote on July 13, 2026. Latest action shown is Senate referral on July 14, 2026. Used because Congress.gov refused automated fetches.Government / regulatory record - 20Democratic candidates, voters file federal challenge to Tennessee’s redistrictingTennessee Lookout · May 8, 2026
Report by Anita Wadhwani, Sam Stockard and Cassandra Stephenson: Governor Lee signed the new congressional map on Thursday, May 7, 2026, and a federal challenge followed the next day. It does not mention Van Epps.Independent reporting - 21Who’s running in Tennessee’s new 2026 U.S. Congress racesTennessee Lookout · May 18, 2026
Adam Friedman’s report on the May 7, 2026 map, the one-week qualifying period, a federal judge’s refusal to block the map, and the District 7 filings. The word gerrymandering is the outlet’s.Independent reporting - 22House Passes Rep. Van Epps’ Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment ActOffice of U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps · July 13, 2026
Official release describing what H.R. 8168 requires, with his statement. House passage is not enactment.Government / regulatory record - 23Roll Call 278: H.R. 8800, On PassageOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · July 22, 2026
Official tally, 216 yeas to 212 nays, with party breakdown. Van Epps is recorded as voting yea.Government / regulatory record - 24H.R. 8800 (119th Congress), National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027: bill statusU.S. Government Publishing Office, govinfo bulk data · Accessed Sep. 17, 2026
Official bill-status record: House passage on July 22, 2026, 216–212, and receipt in the Senate on September 14, 2026. The bill was not law at review.Government / regulatory record - 25Rep. Van Epps Secures Major Legislative Victories in FY27 NDAAOffice of U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps · July 22, 2026
His office’s list of four amendments included in the House version of the fiscal 2027 defense bill. The characterization is the office’s; final text depends on the Senate.Government / regulatory record - 26Rep. Van Epps Celebrates Joining the Republican Study Committee, The House’s Largest Conservative CaucusOffice of U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps · Feb. 6, 2026
Official release on his Republican Study Committee membership. The description of the caucus is the release’s.Government / regulatory record - 27House Armed Services Committee Advances Rep. Van Epps’ Gold Star Families Act in FY27 NDAAOffice of U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps · June 5, 2026
Official release: the committee-adopted increase in the death gratuity from $100,000 to $165,000, on an amendment introduced by Rep. Jen Kiggans and supported by Rep. Jill Tokuda.Government / regulatory record - 28Rep. Van Epps Introduces Legislation to Safeguard Critical Infrastructure from Drone ThreatsOffice of U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps · June 9, 2026
Official release on the House version of the Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act, a Senate bill by Sen. Tom Cotton. Introduction only.Government / regulatory record - 29Van Epps and McCollum Introduce Bipartisan Critical Materials Future ActOffice of U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps · Sept. 15, 2026
Official release on a bill introduced with Rep. Betty McCollum of Minnesota; identifies S. 596 as the Senate companion. Introduction only; no House bill number printed.Government / regulatory record - 30Roll Call 293: H. J. Res. 1, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and PassOffice of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Sept. 2, 2026
Official tally on a proposed constitutional amendment fixing the Supreme Court at nine justices: 212–206, short of two-thirds. Van Epps is recorded as voting yea.Government / regulatory record - 31Rep. Van Epps Votes to Fund ICE and CBPOffice of U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps · Apr. 29, 2026
His office’s account of his vote and of a Department of Homeland Security funding lapse that began February 14, 2026. It gives one side of a partisan dispute and prints no roll-call number.Government / regulatory record - 32IssuesMatt Van Epps for Congress · Accessed Sep. 17, 2026
Primary source for the candidate’s stated positions. These are campaign commitments, not enacted results.Campaign source - 33In tight Tennessee congressional race, Republican Matt Van Epps pulls out victoryTennessee Lookout · Dec. 2, 2025
J. Holly McCall’s election-night report with Van Epps’s victory remarks. Its percentages were partial returns with more than 95% counted.Independent reporting - 34Whither Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District in the midterms?Tennessee Lookout · Jan. 12, 2026
Commentary by Bruce Barry, labeled as such: reads the nine-point special-election margin against Donald Trump’s 22-point 2024 margin and notes Behn’s decision not to run in 2026.Independent reporting - 35Independent groups have spent $2.5 million in the Middle Tennessee U.S. House primaryTennessee Lookout · Oct. 3, 2025
Adam Friedman’s report on outside spending for and against Van Epps in the 2025 special primary. Independent expenditures are not contributions to his campaign.Independent reporting - 36VAN EPPS, MATTHEW ROBERT: candidate overview (H6TN07161)Federal Election Commission · Accessed Sep. 17, 2026
Official candidate record: principal committee Matt Van Epps for Congress (C00908202) and summary totals for April 1, 2025 through July 17, 2026. Later activity is not included.Government / regulatory record - 37Dixie, Copeland square off in Democratic primary for redrawn 7th DistrictTennessee Lookout · July 6, 2026
Sam Stockard’s report lists the counties in the redrawn district and records Darden Copeland’s criticism of Van Epps. It carries no response from Van Epps and cites no specific vote.Independent reporting - 38Clarksville Conversations: Rep. Matt Van Epps on how redistricting helps Fort Campbell | PODCASTClarksville Now · July 7, 2026
Podcast notice stating that the redrawn District 7 no longer includes Fort Campbell. The text summarizes topics; it does not quote Van Epps.Independent reporting - 39Rep. Matt Van Epps: legislative scorecardHeritage Action for America · Accessed Sep. 17, 2026
Advocacy-group rating: 100% session and lifetime scores at review. The page as retrieved did not show how many votes the score covers; he took office in December 2025.Independent analysis / professional record - 40Stockard on the Stump: Behn, Van Epps go full tilt in Tennessee congressional raceTennessee Lookout · Nov. 14, 2025
Sam Stockard’s column on the special general campaign: Van Epps’s remark on the Epstein files, a political committee’s attack on him and his first general-election ad. The characterizations are the columnist’s.Independent reporting
No matching sources. Try “House”, “election” or “campaign.”
Scope & method. Reviewed September 17, 2026. This is a documented overview of publicly available biography, major actions, and stated priorities, not an exhaustive vote-by-vote record. Numerical claims retain their original meaning and attribution. Historical sources do not imply current appointments. The source list provides direct links so readers can check the underlying material. Election lists, filings, and campaign pages may change after this review.
Images. Conservative Ledger masthead supplied by the site creator. Images are published with their credit, licence and source page beneath each one: U.S. House of Representatives (Public domain). No campaign, press-agency or stock photograph is used. Inclusion does not imply campaign authorization or endorsement of this publication.
Where to find the candidate
Every link below was read from the campaign’s own website or the candidate’s official government page. A follower count is printed only where it was measured; otherwise the link is published and the number is left blank rather than guessed at.
Voting in Tennessee: official dates, deadlines and rules
The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The dates and rules below were read from the Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Elections; the authority's own page, linked beside each one, is the final word.
Dates and deadlines
- Voter registration deadlineMonday, October 5, 2026, for the November 3, 2026 State and Federal General Election. The Secretary of State's 2026 calendar prints this one date and does not give separate online, mail or in-person cut-offs. To register, use online voter registration, or download and complete the Voter Registration Application and mail it or deliver it by hand to your county election commission; applications can also be picked up in person at county election commission offices, county clerk's offices, public libraries and register of deeds offices. The Secretary of State's FAQ says a person who does not have an ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security cannot register online but can still register by filling out a paper form. Read from: sos.tn.gov/elections/calendar
- Early voting beginsWednesday, October 14, 2026. The Secretary of State's 2026 calendar gives the early voting period for the November 3, 2026 general election as Wednesday, October 14 – Thursday, October 29, 2026. Read from: sos.tn.gov/elections/calendar
- Early voting endsThursday, October 29, 2026, the last day of the early voting period (Wednesday, October 14 – Thursday, October 29, 2026) printed in the Secretary of State's 2026 calendar. Read from: sos.tn.gov/elections/calendar
- Deadline to request an absentee by-mail ballotSaturday, October 24, 2026. The Secretary of State's Guide to Absentee Voting says a registered voter may request an application for a by-mail ballot no earlier than ninety (90) days before the election and no later than ten (10) days before the election, and that, to be processed for the next election, the application must be received by the election commission no later than ten (10) days before the election. This is a received-by deadline for the request. The written request must be submitted, by mail or e-mail, to the local county election commission office by the tenth day before Election Day. Read from: sos.tn.gov/elections/calendar
- Deadline to return an absentee by-mail ballotElection Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026: you must mail your ballot in time for your county election commission to receive it no later than the close of polls on Election Day. This is a received-by deadline, not a postmark deadline. You must return your ballot by mail (USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.); hand delivery or handing it to a poll worker during early voting or on Election Day is not permitted. Read from: sos.tn.gov/elections/guides/guide-to-absentee-voting
- Polling place hours on Election DayElection Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The Secretary of State's pages reviewed for this guide do not print a statewide opening or closing time. Its FAQ answers the question “When can I vote?” this way: find your early voting and Election Day polling place and hours in the GoVoteTN app. Its Election Day page likewise sends voters to the GoVoteTN lookup (Search by Voter or Search by Address) for their polling location and ballot information. Absentee by-mail ballots must be received no later than the close of polls on Election Day. Read from: sos.tn.gov/elections/faqs
Rules to know
- What to bringTennesseans voting early or on Election Day must bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. Any of the following IDs may be used, even if expired: a Tennessee driver license with your photo; a United States Passport; a photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security; a photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government; a United States Military photo ID; or a Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo. NOT acceptable: college student IDs; photo IDs not issued by the federal or Tennessee state government, including county or city issued photo IDs, such as library cards, and photo IDs issued by other states; and photo IDs issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to non-U.S. citizens. First-time voters who registered by mail or Online Voter Registration and whose ID is expired must also present a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows the voter's name and address. Exempt from the photo ID requirement: voters who vote absentee by mail; residents of a licensed nursing home or assisted living center who vote at the facility; voters who are hospitalized; voters with a religious objection to being photographed; and voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee. The Secretary of State's FAQ adds that a voter who does not bring a photo ID votes a provisional ballot and then has two (2) business days after Election Day to return to the election commission office to show a valid photo ID, and that a free photo ID to vote can be obtained from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security at any participating driver service center. Read from: sos.tn.gov/elections/voter-id-requirements
- Who may vote by mailTennessee requires a statutory reason to vote absentee by-mail. You can vote absentee by-mail if you fall under one of these categories: you are sixty (60) years of age or older; you will be outside the county where you are registered during the early voting period and all day on Election Day; you are hospitalized, ill or physically disabled and unable to appear at your polling place to vote; you are the caretaker of a person who is hospitalized, ill, or disabled (a physician's statement is not required for either of these two reasons); you or your spouse are a full-time student in an accredited college or university outside the county where you are registered; you reside in a nursing home, assisted living facility or home for the aged outside your county of residence; you are a candidate for office in the election; you are observing a religious holiday that prevents you from voting in person during the early voting period and on Election Day; you serve as an Election Day official or as a member or employee of the election commission; you will be unable to vote in-person due to jury duty; you have a disability and an inaccessible polling place; you or your spouse possess a valid commercial drivers license (CDL) or Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card and you will be working outside the state or county of registration during the open hours of early voting and Election Day and have no specific out-of-county or out-of-state address to which mail may be sent or received during such time; you are a member of the military or are an overseas citizen; or you are on the permanent absentee list. To ask for a ballot, submit a written request by mail or e-mail to your local county election commission office by the tenth day before Election Day (Saturday, October 24, 2026); to be processed for the election, the application must be received by the election commission no later than ten (10) days before the election. The request must contain the voter's name, address of residence, social security number, date of birth, the address to mail the ballot, the election, the reason for voting absentee and the voter's signature, and, if applicable, a copy of the CDL containing the CDL number or the TWIC card; the absentee ballot request form helps make sure all required information is provided. An e-mailed request must be an attached document containing this information and your scanned signature. If information is missing, the county election commission returns the application so you can make corrections and resubmit it. The Secretary of State's FAQ adds that, unless you are on the permanent absentee voting register, enrolled in the Safe at Home program, or have previously voted in the county of registration, you must appear in-person to vote in the first election after you have registered by-mail or online. Read from: sos.tn.gov/elections/guides/guide-to-absentee-voting
- Early in-person votingNo reason is needed to vote early: the Secretary of State's guide says that, unlike by-mail voting, which requires a statutory reason, a person may vote during the early voting period purely for the sake of convenience. For the November 3, 2026 general election the early voting period is Wednesday, October 14 – Thursday, October 29, 2026. To vote early, a person must appear in person at either the county election commission office or at a satellite voting location opened by the county election commission. Early voting is closed on holidays, but a person may vote early on any Saturday that falls during the period. A voter can also change his or her address of registration and vote in the same voting location. For details regarding times and early voting locations, contact the local county election commission office; the guide also links to early voting locations and hours for each county. The Secretary of State's FAQ says Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day must bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. Read from: sos.tn.gov/elections/guides/how-to-early-vote-in-person
- Track your absentee ballotThe Secretary of State's Absentee By-Mail Ballot Status Tracker tool allows voters to track the status of their absentee by-mail ballot. It is part of the Tennessee Voter Registration Lookup and Absentee Ballot Status Tracker at tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup. The Secretary of State says this lookup allows voters to review their registration information, track absentee ballots, see early voting and Election Day information, and find their polling place. Read from: sos.tn.gov/elections/faqs
- Felony convictionsThe Secretary of State's Restoration of Voting Rights guide says: if your felony conviction was on or before May 17, 1981, you only need to answer the appropriate question on the voter registration form and do not need to do anything else to get your voting rights restored; if your felony conviction was on or after May 18, 1981, you must get a court order to get your voting rights restored before you can register to vote. To get a court order you must meet all of the listed conditions, which include that you do not owe any restitution, that you do not owe court costs unless a court finds that you are indigent, and that you are current in all child support obligations. Voting rights cannot be restored after a conviction for any of the permanently disqualifying felonies that the guide lists by time period. Read from: sos.tn.gov/elections/guides/restoration-of-voting-rights
Read from: Key Dates for the 2026 Election Cycle · Elections · Guide to Absentee Voting · How to Early Vote - In Person · How to Register to Vote · Register to Vote Paper Form (Mail-in or hand-deliver) — Rules and dates as of Sep 17, 2026
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