Summary
- President
Trump endorsed Matt Van Epps for Congress. - Endorsement
came four days before the 7th District primary. - Van
Epps is a West Point graduate and combat veteran.
State Representative Lee Reeves, Van Epps’ primary opponent,
followed Trump’s example and endorsed Van Epps shortly after Trump’s
endorsement, halting his candidacy.
“Matt Van Epps has my Complete and Total Endorsement to
be the next Congressman from Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District — HE WILL
NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
Trump wrote in his endorsement on Truth Social on
Oct. 3.
“Today, the President called a play I did not expect.
He endorsed Matt Van Epps and gave him his complete and total endorsement to be
the next Congressman for Tennessee’s 7th District. The words I said on the
campaign trail were not hollow. I meant them. I support our President, and if
this is the call he has made, I will back him up,”
Reeves wrote in a
social media post.
“Therefore, I am suspending my campaign and will stand
shoulder to shoulder with President Trump. I also endorse Matt Van Epps for
Congress.”
Governor Bill Lee and former U.S. Representative Mark Green,
whose seat Van Epps would take if elected,
has also endorsed him.
Late last year, Lee named Matt Van Epps, a West Point
graduate and combat veteran, commissioner of Tennessee’s General Services
Department.
Van Epps has emphasized his loyalty to President Donald
Trump and his experience as a combat helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army
throughout his campaign. This week, Van Epps was the target of a complaint
alleging that he violated U.S. Department of War regulations by improperly
using his military uniform in a campaign advertisement.
“It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot
Matt Van Epps, who is running to represent the Great People of Tennessee’s 7th
Congressional District,”
Trump wrote.
“A West Point Graduate, and Combat Decorated Army
Helicopter Pilot, Matt knows the WISDOM and COURAGE required to Defend our
Country, Support our Incredible Military/Veterans, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH
STRENGTH. In Congress, Matt will work hard to Keep our now very Secure Border,
SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes, Promote MADE IN THE
U.S.A., Champion School Choice, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend
our always under siege Second Amendment. He is strongly supported by my good friend,
Congressman Jim Jordan, and many other highly respected MAGA Warriors!”
On October 7, Van Epps will compete against ten other
Republicans in the GOP primary.
How will Trump’s endorsement affect Van Epps’s polling in
the 7th District?
Trump’s endorsement will boost Van Epps among still
significant conservative and MAGA-aligned Republican voters in the district.
It also gives Van Epps increased name recognition and
legitimacy in a field of eleven Republican candidates.
With preliminary strong local support from Tennessee
Governor Bill Lee and former Rep. Mark Green, that can help consolidate the
establishment and grassroots support behind Van Epps, as well.
The studies of previous elections indicated that
endorsements can often backfire and create a backlash, triggering Democratic
turnout and independent voters to rally against endorsed candidates, which may
potentially lower endorsed candidates’ net margins even further.
