Incumbent
TN-07 Republican nominee?
$13.7K
AUG 7, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age43 years old (Mar 29, 1983)
GenderMale
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LocationTennessee
BackgroundU.S. Representative
EducationUnited States Military Academy at West Point (B.S., 2005)
Notable personal detailsMatthew Robert Van Epps is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, sworn in on December 4, 2025 after winning a special election. A West Point graduate, he served on active duty as a U.S. Army aviator with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and later served in the Tennessee Army National Guard, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel. He previously held senior roles in Tennessee state government including Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services and Deputy Chief Operating Officer in the Governor's Office, and also worked in private-sector roles in recruiting and healthcare operations.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Matt Van Epps supports tax cuts (including extending prior tax cuts), elimination of the estate/death tax, a Balanced Budget Amendment, and reducing omnibus spending and earmarks. He describes himself as a fiscal hawk who favors less regulation and smaller government role in the economy.
Healthcare
Opposes expansive government-run health programs and supports Republican-led reforms that reduce federal Medicaid funding and expand work requirements; has expressed support for the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA) and Medicaid reforms.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border security measures including completion of the U.S.–Mexico border wall and prioritizing deportation of undocumented immigrants; favors restricting immigration to prioritize high-skilled legal entrants and stricter enforcement at the southern border.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting unborn life and opposes taxpayer funding for abortion; pledges to defend the sanctity of life and to oppose pro‑abortion policies while aligning with conservative leadership.
Climate & Energy
Supports unleashing American energy and energy dominance, emphasizing job creation and economic growth while advancing a market-driven, America First energy agenda that prioritizes fossil fuel production and energy independence.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate positions himself as a defender of the Second Amendment and opposes federal restrictions on lawful gun ownership, emphasizing the right of individuals to protect themselves. Campaign materials and questionnaire responses describe defending the Second Amendment and state that the federal government should not prevent people from protecting themselves, their families, or their property.
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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