Trump’s endorsement machine delivered another crushing victory Tuesday night.
The President’s endorsement power is on full display after his handpicked candidate demolished a crowded field of Republican hopefuls in Tennessee’s seventh congressional district.
And Matt Van Epps’ commanding victory on Tuesday night proves Trump’s influence over the GOP base remains as strong as ever.
Combat veteran rides Trump wave to decisive primary victory
Van Epps didn’t just win this week’s special Republican primary – he dominated it.
The former Army combat pilot and current Tennessee Army National Guard lieutenant colonel secured 48.9% of the vote in an 11-candidate field, according to the Associated Press.
That’s a commanding victory in any crowded primary, but it becomes even more impressive when you consider Van Epps was the only candidate who earned Trump’s coveted endorsement.
The President made sure voters knew exactly who he wanted representing Tennessee’s seventh district, reminding supporters earlier Tuesday to cast their ballots for Van Epps.
Trump’s backing proved to be the difference-maker in a race where name recognition and grassroots organizing typically determine winners.
Van Epps also secured endorsements from outgoing Representative Mark Green, the former House Homeland Security Chairman he’s seeking to replace, and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan.
But let’s be honest – in today’s Republican Party, Trump’s endorsement is worth more than all the others combined.
December showdown in deep-red district
Van Epps now advances to the special general election on December 2nd, where he’ll face off against the Democrat nominee in what should be a foregone conclusion.
Tennessee’s seventh congressional district is solid conservative territory that Trump carried with more than 60% of the vote in 2024, according to NBC News.
This is exactly the kind of district where Trump’s endorsement matters most – not because Republicans need help winning, but because the primary essentially determines who goes to Congress.
Van Epps flew combat missions as an Army pilot and still serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard.
That’s the kind of resume that plays well in a district where voters remember when politicians actually served their country before they served themselves.
Career politicians love to talk about supporting the troops.
Van Epps actually was one.
Trump’s endorsement machine keeps delivering wins
Look, here’s what Tuesday night’s results really demonstrate – Trump’s political instincts remain razor-sharp, and his ability to pick winners in competitive primaries is unmatched.
Van Epps wasn’t the obvious frontrunner in a field of 11 candidates, but Trump saw something others missed.
The President’s endorsement didn’t just help Van Epps win – it helped him win decisively, avoiding any potential runoff scenario that could have dragged the race out for weeks.
For folks who’ve been watching Trump’s political operation since he returned to the White House, this victory fits a clear pattern.
The President endorses candidates who share his America First vision and have the background to actually deliver results in Congress.
Van Epps brings something most politicians don’t have – he knows what it costs when Washington gets foreign policy wrong.
He’s flown the missions.
And he’s running on exactly the kind of America First platform that Tennessee Republicans have been demanding from their representatives in Washington, D.C.
This isn’t just about one House seat in Tennessee.
It’s about Trump continuing to reshape the Republican Party in his image, one endorsement at a time.
When December 2nd rolls around and Van Epps cruises to victory in the general election, it’ll be another reminder that Trump’s political judgment remains as sharp as ever.
The President knows how to pick winners, and Tennessee Republicans just proved they’re still listening.
¹ Misty Severi, "Trump-backed candidate Matt Van Epps wins crowded GOP primary in Tennessee for vacant House seat," Just The News, October 7, 2025.
² NBC News, "Tennessee District Voting Patterns," October 2025.
