Incumbent
TN-07 Republican nominee?
$11.3K
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
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUnited States Military Academy (West Point) (Class of 2005)
Notable personal detailsMatthew Robert Van Epps is an American politician and former Army officer who has served as the U.S. representative for Tennessee's 7th congressional district since December 2025. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he served on active duty as an Army aviation officer and later in the Tennessee Army National Guard. He also served in Tennessee state government, including as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services (2024–2025).
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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.
Endorsements
Endorsers of Matt Van Epps for TN-07 Republican nominee?
Lee Reeves
Political organization
Lee Reeves endorsed Matt Van Epps after suspending his own campaign in the Republican primary for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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