Tennessee 7th District
Matt Van Epps (R) holds this seat and is running again. 4 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Matt Van Epps
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score AOn the liberty side in 25 of 26 votes and bills.
Raised $2,646,915 since January 2025: 70% from people, 26% from PACs and other committees, 3% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Darden Copeland
Democrat · nashville public affairs firm founder, democratic nominee
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Copeland, and what Copeland has said and done settles only 3 of my principles. I went through it on October 31. A grade needs 4.
Raised $1,257,202 since January 2025: 69% from people, 31% the candidate’s own money. The filing at FEC.gov
Voting in Tennessee: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Darden Copeland, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Copeland, so the grade above comes from this list: what Copeland has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Asked on a questionnaire whether he supports President Trump's war in Iran, he answers no.
“Do you support President Trump's war in Iran? No.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Opposing the current US action against Iran is the against side of this measure.
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Writes that the war in Iran must end, without naming a policy.
“we must end the war in Iran”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Ending the war with no policy named is unclear for anyone.
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At a September 2025 town hall in Franklin he said Ukraine should not have to give up control of Kyiv or other territory.
“I don't think that we need to give up control of Kyiv or anywhere else.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing handing Ukrainian territory to Russia backs Ukraine against Putin.
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He says he would restore the top marginal federal income tax rate for the highest earners.
“restoring the top marginal income tax rate for the highest earners.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A named tax rise is against liberty on free markets.
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He says tariffs do not help bring down the cost of living.
“Tariffs and "wars of choice" don't help.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is with liberty on free markets.
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Writes that wage and price controls are often counter-productive.
“the U.S. has learned in the past that wage and price controls are often counter-productive”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing price controls is with liberty on free markets.
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His campaign site lists capping prescription drug prices among the ways he would lower costs.
“taking on price gouging, expanding affordable housing, capping prescription drug prices, and making child care affordable.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Price caps are against liberty on free markets.
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He calls secure borders important but says deporting immigrants to countries they have never seen is not a rational system.
“Secure borders is an important public policy, but deporting immigrants to countries around the world that they've never seen and have no support system isn't a rational immigration system.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
He backs border security and criticises one kind of deportation without naming a policy, so the words do not settle a side.
Also on the ballot
Andrew Koontz (Independent), Lowell Reynolds (Independent).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
Tennessee 7th District
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