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Matt Van Epps
Current office and 2026 campaign
Matt Van Epps is a Republican member of the U.S. House representing Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, having assumed office on December 4, 2025 12. He won the seat in a special election held on December 2, 2025, defeating Democratic state Representative Aftyn Behn by a margin of approximately nine percentage points 346781011. The race was widely viewed as a referendum on President Donald Trump, who endorsed Van Epps during the primary and campaigned for him in the general election 410. While the victory maintained Republican control of the deep-red district, the relatively close result fueled Democratic optimism heading into the 2026 midterm elections 49.
Van Epps is currently seeking re-election to a full term in the same district 1. He declared his candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 1. His current term is set to end on January 3, 2027 1.
Background and education
Matthew Robert Van Epps was born on March 29, 1983, in Ohio 2. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard as a helicopter pilot and is a combat veteran 16. Van Epps earned a bachelor's degree in political science and mechanical engineering from the United States Military Academy 12.
Career
Matthew Robert Van Epps was born on March 29, 1983, in Ohio 2. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science and mechanical engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 2005 12. Following his graduation, he served as a Fellow for the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress 13.
Van Epps served as an Aviation Officer and helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army, flying AH-64D Apache and MH-47G Chinook helicopters with combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan 1213. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard, where he served for a decade on active duty, including combat deployments as an Air Mission Commander in Army Special Operations 1214. He continues to serve as a reservist in the National Guard 14.
Prior to his election to Congress, Van Epps worked in Tennessee state government as the Commissioner of the Department of General Services and Deputy Chief Operating Officer 14. He held the position of Commissioner from September 17, 2024, until June 10, 2025, serving under Governor Bill Lee 2.
Office history
Matt Van Epps served as the Commissioner of General Services for Tennessee from September 17, 2024, to June 10, 2025, appointed by Governor Bill Lee 2. In this role, he succeeded Christi Branscom and was later succeeded by Jeff Holmes 2.
Van Epps won a special election for the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District on December 2, 2025 346781011. He defeated Democratic state representative Aftyn Behn with approximately 54 percent of the vote 68. This victory allowed him to assume office on December 4, 2025, succeeding Mark Green, who resigned in June 2025 to take a private sector position 2511. His current term is scheduled to end on January 3, 2027 1.
Van Epps has declared his candidacy for re-election to the U.S. House in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 1.
Legislative record and accomplishments
Matt Van Epps assumed office in the U.S. House representing Tennessee's 7th Congressional District on December 4, 2025, following his victory in a special election that retained the seat for the Republican Party 1234. His legislative tenure is brief, with his current term scheduled to end on January 3, 2027 1. Prior to his federal service, Van Epps served as Tennessee’s Commissioner of General Services from September 17, 2024, to June 10, 2025 2.
Specific legislative records, including notable bills sponsored, specific votes cast, or committee assignments during his current term in Congress, are not detailed in the available sources. The provided materials focus primarily on his electoral history and professional background rather than a catalog of statutory accomplishments or policy positions enacted since taking office 12.
Family
Matt Van Epps is married to Meg Wrather 2. The couple has one child 2.