Matt Van Epps: Difference between revisions

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== Military career and education==

== Military career and education==

Matthew Robert Van Epps was born in March 1983. He graduated from [[Mentor High School]] in [[Mentor, Ohio]] where he played baseball, football, and was a member of the [[National Honor Society]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Vivian |title=From a wealthy Cleveland suburb to Afghanistan to Nashville, who is Matt Van Epps? |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/13/matt-van-epps-trump-tennessee-republican-congress/86967374007/ |access-date=December 3, 2025 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}}</ref> Van Epps graduated from the [[United States Military Academy]] at [[West Point]] in 2005 and subsequently joined the [[United States Army|Army]], where he served for ten years.

Matthew Robert Van Epps was born in March 1983. He graduated from [[Mentor High School]] in [[Mentor, Ohio]] where he played baseball, football, and was a member of the [[National Honor Society]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Vivian |title=From a wealthy Cleveland suburb to Afghanistan to Nashville, who is Matt Van Epps? |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/13/matt-van-epps-trump-tennessee-republican-congress/86967374007/ |access-date=December 3, 2025 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}}</ref> Van Epps graduated from the [[United States Military Academy]] at [[West Point]] in 2005 and subsequently joined the [[United States Army|Army]], where he served for ten years.

During his military career, he was awarded the [[Air Medal]] with [[“V” device]], the [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]], and the [[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]].<ref name=”Star” /><ref name=”endorses”>{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2025 |title=Mark Green endorses Matt Van Epps in Tennessee race |url=https://fox17.com/news/local/mark-green-endorses-matt-van-epps-in-tennessee-race |access-date=July 16, 2025 |website=[[WZTV]] |language=en}}</ref> After leaving the Army, Van Epps obtained a master’s degree in [[Master of Public Administration|public administration]] from the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Congressional candidate. Matt Van Epps – R Tennessee – Previously held positions |url=https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/257573/Matthew_Van_Epps.html |access-date=August 2, 2025 |website=[[LegiStorm]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Matt Van Epps, MPA {{!}} LinkedIn |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanepps12/details/education/ |access-date=December 2, 2025 |website=LinkedIn}}</ref>

During his military career, he was awarded the [[Air Medal]] with [[“V” device]], the [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]], and the [[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]].<ref name=”Star” /><ref name=”endorses”>{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2025 |title=Mark Green endorses Matt Van Epps in Tennessee race |url=https://fox17.com/news/local/mark-green-endorses-matt-van-epps-in-tennessee-race |access-date=July 16, 2025 |website=[[WZTV]] |language=en}}</ref> After leaving the Army, Van Epps obtained a master’s degree in [[Master of Public Administration|public administration]] from the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Congressional candidate. Matt Van Epps – R Tennessee – Previously held positions |url=https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/257573/Matthew_Van_Epps.html |access-date=August 2, 2025 |website=[[LegiStorm]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Matt Van Epps, MPA {{!}} LinkedIn |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanepps12/details/education/ |access-date=December 2, 2025 |website=LinkedIn}}</ref>

== Political career ==

== Political career ==

Van Epps was appointed commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services by Governor [[Bill Lee (Tennessee politician)|Bill Lee]], serving from 2024 to 2025.<ref name=”Star” /> On June 10, 2025, he resigned from his post to run in the [[2025 Tennessee’s 7th congressional district special election|2025 special election]] for [[Tennessee’s 7th congressional district]], following the resignation of U.S. Representative [[Mark Green (Tennessee politician)|Mark Green]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Van Epps annouces bid for Green seat in Congress, steps down from Lee Cabinet |url=https://pro.stateaffairs.com/tn/news/van-epps-cabinet |date=June 10, 2025 |access-date=July 16, 2025 |website=State Affair |language=en}}</ref>

Van Epps was appointed commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services by Governor [[Bill Lee (Tennessee politician)|Bill Lee]], serving from 2024 to 2025.<ref name=”Star” /> On June 10, 2025, he resigned from his post to run in the [[2025 Tennessee’s 7th congressional district special election|2025 special election]] for [[Tennessee’s 7th congressional district]], following the resignation of U.S. [[Mark Green (Tennessee politician)|Mark Green]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Van Epps annouces bid for Green seat in Congress, steps down from Lee Cabinet |url=https://pro.stateaffairs.com/tn/news/van-epps-cabinet |date=June 10, 2025 |access-date=July 16, 2025 |website=State Affair |language=en}}</ref>

=== U.S. House of Representatives ===

=== U.S. House of Representatives ===

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Shortly after announcing his campaign, Van Epps received endorsements from both Green and Governor Lee.<ref name=”endorses” /><ref name=”:0″>{{Cite web |title=Trump endorses Van Epps in Middle Tennessee U.S House race, Reeves drops out • Tennessee Lookout |url=https://tennesseelookout.com/briefs/trump-endorses-van-epps-in-middle-tennessee-u-s-house-race-reeves-drops-out/ |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=Tennessee Lookout |language=en-US}}</ref> The 7th district seat, considered a solid [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] district by the [[Cook Political Report]], covers much of [[Middle Tennessee]], including [[Clarksville, Tennessee|Clarksville]], portions of [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], and western [[Williamson County, Tennessee|Williamson County]].<ref name=”:0″ />

Shortly after announcing his campaign, Van Epps received endorsements from both Green and Governor Lee.<ref name=”endorses” /><ref name=”:0″>{{Cite web |title=Trump endorses Van Epps in Middle Tennessee U.S House race, Reeves drops out • Tennessee Lookout |url=https://tennesseelookout.com/briefs/trump-endorses-van-epps-in-middle-tennessee-u-s-house-race-reeves-drops-out/ |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=Tennessee Lookout |language=en-US}}</ref> The 7th district seat, considered a solid [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] district by the [[Cook Political Report]], covers much of [[Middle Tennessee]], including [[Clarksville, Tennessee|Clarksville]], portions of [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], and western [[Williamson County, Tennessee|Williamson County]].<ref name=”:0″ />

In October 2025, President [[Donald Trump]] endorsed Van Epps in the [[2025 Tennessee’s 7th congressional district special election#Republican primary|Republican primary for the 7th district]], describing him as a “[[Make America Great Again|MAGA Warrior]]” and a “combat-decorated Army helicopter pilot.”<ref name=”:0″ /> Trump’s endorsement came four days before the primary election and was followed by the withdrawal of state Representative [[Lee Reeves (politician)|Lee Reeves]], who publicly suspended his campaign and endorsed Van Epps.<ref name=”:1″>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Sarah Grace |date=October 4, 2025 |title=Donald Trump backs Matt Van Epps; another GOP contender drops out |url=https://nashvillebanner.com/2025/10/04/matt-van-epps-trump-endorsement/ |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=Nashville Banner |language=en-US}}</ref>

In October 2025, President [[Donald Trump]] endorsed Van Epps in the [[2025 Tennessee’s 7th congressional district special election#Republican primary|Republican primary for the 7th district]], describing him as a “[[Make America Great Again|MAGA ]]” and a “combat-decorated Army helicopter pilot.”<ref name=”:0″ /> Trump’s endorsement came four days before the primary election and was followed by the withdrawal of state [[Lee Reeves (politician)|Lee Reeves]], who publicly suspended his campaign and endorsed Van Epps.<ref name=”:1″>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Sarah Grace |date=October 4, 2025 |title=Donald Trump backs Matt Van Epps; another GOP contender drops out |url=https://nashvillebanner.com/2025/10/04/matt-van-epps-trump-endorsement/ |access-date=October 7, 2025 |website=Nashville Banner |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Republican primary initially featured 11 candidates, including state Representatives [[Jody Barrett]], [[Gino Bulso]], and Reeves, who were considered frontrunners before the endorsement. Following Trump’s announcement, most outside spending in the race focused on Van Epps and Barrett.<ref name=”:0″ /><ref name=”:1″ />

The Republican primary initially featured 11 candidates, including state [[Jody Barrett]], [[Gino Bulso]], and Reeves, who were considered frontrunners before the endorsement. Following Trump’s announcement, most outside spending in the race focused on Van Epps and Barrett.<ref name=”:0″ /><ref name=”:1″ />

Van Epps won the Republican primary with 51.6% of the vote on October 7, 2025,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 7, 2025 |title=Tennessee Seventh Congressional District Special Primary Election Results 2025 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/10/07/us/elections/results-tennessee-us-house-7-special.html |access-date=October 8, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 8, 2025 |title=Tennessee House Primary Special Results 2025 Live Results |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2025-primary-special-elections/tennessee-house-results |access-date=October 8, 2025 |website=www.nbcnews.com |language=en}}</ref> and defeated the Democratic nominee [[Aftyn Behn]] in the December 2 special election, with roughly 54% of the popular vote.<ref name=”:2″ />

Van Epps won the Republican primary with 51.6% of the vote on October 7, 2025,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 7, 2025 |title=Tennessee Seventh Congressional District Special Primary Election Results 2025 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/10/07/us/elections/results-tennessee-us-house-7-special.html |access-date=October 8, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 8, 2025 |title=Tennessee House Primary Special Results 2025 Live Results |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2025-primary-special-elections/tennessee-house-results |access-date=October 8, 2025 |website=www.nbcnews.com |language=en}}</ref> and defeated the Democratic nominee [[Aftyn Behn]] in the December 2 special election, with roughly 54% of the popular vote.<ref name=”:2″ />

American politician (born 1983)

Matthew Robert Van Epps[1] (born March 1983) is an American politician and former Army officer who is the United States representative-elect for Tennessee’s 7th congressional district. He is expected to be sworn-in in December 2025. A member of the the Republican Party, he was elected in the 2025 special election.[2] He previously served as the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services from 2024 to 2025.[3][4]

Military career and education

[edit]

Matthew Robert Van Epps was born in March 1983. He graduated from Mentor High School in Mentor, Ohio, where he played baseball, football, and was a member of the National Honor Society.[5] Van Epps graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2005 and subsequently joined the Army, where he served for ten years.

During his military career, he was awarded the Air Medal with “V” device, the Bronze Star, and the Meritorious Service Medal.[3][6] After leaving the Army, Van Epps obtained a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.[7][8]

Van Epps was appointed commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services by Governor Bill Lee, serving from 2024 to 2025.[3] On June 10, 2025, he resigned from his post to run in the 2025 special election for Tennessee’s 7th congressional district, following the resignation of U.S. representative Mark Green.[9]

U.S. House of Representatives

[edit]

2025 special election

[edit]

Shortly after announcing his campaign, Van Epps received endorsements from both Green and Governor Lee.[6][10] The 7th district seat, considered a solid Republican district by the Cook Political Report, covers much of Middle Tennessee, including Clarksville, portions of Nashville, and western Williamson County.[10]

In October 2025, President Donald Trump endorsed Van Epps in the Republican primary for the 7th district, describing him as a “MAGA warrior” and a “combat-decorated Army helicopter pilot.”[10] Trump’s endorsement came four days before the primary election and was followed by the withdrawal of state representative Lee Reeves, who publicly suspended his campaign and endorsed Van Epps.[11]

The Republican primary initially featured 11 candidates, including state representatives Jody Barrett, Gino Bulso, and Reeves, who were considered frontrunners before the endorsement. Following Trump’s announcement, most outside spending in the race focused on Van Epps and Barrett.[10][11]

Van Epps won the Republican primary with 51.6% of the vote on October 7, 2025,[12][13] and defeated the Democratic nominee Aftyn Behn in the December 2 special election, with roughly 54% of the popular vote.[2]

Van Epps is expected to be sworn-in in December 2025.[citation needed]

Van Epps lives in Nashville, Tennessee.[14] He and his wife, Meg, have one daughter.[15][16]

  1. ^ “VAN EPPS, MATTHEW ROBERT – Candidate overview”. FEC.gov. January 1, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Armstrong, Gene. “Live results: Tennessee House District 7 special election | CNN Politics”. CNN. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Housler, Kaitlin (June 12, 2025). “Matt Van Epps Steps Away From Lee Administration to Run for TN-7 U.S. House Seat”. The Tennessee Star. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  4. ^ Jarrett, Kim (June 11, 2025). “First candidate for Green’s congressional seat announces”. The Center Square. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  5. ^ Jones, Vivian. “From a wealthy Cleveland suburb to Afghanistan to Nashville, who is Matt Van Epps?”. The Tennessean. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  6. ^ a b “Mark Green endorses Matt Van Epps in Tennessee race”. WZTV. July 14, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  7. ^ “Congressional candidate. Matt Van Epps – R Tennessee – Previously held positions”. LegiStorm. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  8. ^ “Matt Van Epps, MPA | LinkedIn”. LinkedIn. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  9. ^ “Van Epps annouces bid for Green seat in Congress, steps down from Lee Cabinet”. State Affair. June 10, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d “Trump endorses Van Epps in Middle Tennessee U.S House race, Reeves drops out • Tennessee Lookout”. Tennessee Lookout. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  11. ^ a b Taylor, Sarah Grace (October 4, 2025). “Donald Trump backs Matt Van Epps; another GOP contender drops out”. Nashville Banner. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  12. ^ “Tennessee Seventh Congressional District Special Primary Election Results 2025”. The New York Times. October 7, 2025. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  13. ^ “Tennessee House Primary Special Results 2025 Live Results”. www.nbcnews.com. October 8, 2025. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  14. ^ “Gov. Lee Announces Key Leadership Transition at TN Department of General Services”. tn.gov. Office of the Governor. October 7, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  15. ^ Smith, Chris (October 7, 2025). “‘Tonight is not the finish line, it’s halfime’: Matt Van Epps wins Republican bid to Congress”. Clarksville Now. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  16. ^ “Meet Matt Van Epps”. Matt Van Epps for Congress. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  17. ^ “United States House of Representatives District 7 Republican Primary” (PDF). elections.tn.gov. October 8, 2025. Retrieved October 8, 2025.

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