Republican Matt Van Epps has clinched a hard-earned win in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special election, proving that conservative grit -- and a Trump endorsement -- still reigns supreme, as the Washington Examiner reports.

In a nutshell, Van Epps triumphed in the race to replace former Rep. Mark Green, who stepped down from Congress in June, securing a key victory for Republicans in a reliably red district.

This seat, once held by Green with nearly 60% of the vote in his last general election, wasn’t expected to be a close call, yet surprises loomed.

Trump’s Endorsement Fuels Van Epps Win

With Democratic Party contender Aftyn Behn mounting a tough challenge, Van Epps’s lead -- around 9% with almost all votes counted, per the Associated Press -- shows the race tightened more than anticipated.

An Emerson College-The Hill poll pegged Van Epps at 48% and Behn at 46%, highlighting just how narrow the gap became in a district that backed Donald Trump by over 22 points previously.

Speaking of Trump, the former president threw his weight behind Van Epps, rallying Tennesseans to vote on Tuesday with a powerful endorsement.

GOP Leaders Rally Behind Victory

By late Tuesday, Trump was already savoring the results, declaring “another great night for the Republican Party.”

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) echoed the celebratory mood on X, describing the contest against Behn as “hard-fought” and tipping his hat to Van Epps’s resolve.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) also welcomed Van Epps on X, following a rather reserved prediction of his win last month, while Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) cheered late Tuesday, crediting Trump for the success.

Betting Markets Outshine Polling Predictions

On the numbers game, Donald Trump Jr. noted on X Wednesday that betting markets outdid traditional polls in predicting this outcome, a point worth mulling over.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich joined the chorus on X, decrying the consistent inaccuracy of pre-election surveys -- perhaps it’s time to rethink how we gauge voter sentiment.

Activist Riley Gaines also opined that Behn’s loss might stem from her own remarks about Nashville, a reminder that in a conservative stronghold, every word matters.

Conservative Values Hold Firm in Tennessee

Ultimately, Van Epps’s victory reaffirms that Tennessee’s 7th District remains a bastion of Republican ideals, even if the margin wasn’t as wide as past races.

The closer-than-expected result might nudge GOP strategists to stay vigilant, but with Trump’s influence and unified support from leaders like Hagerty and Burchett, the party’s foundation looks solid.

So, while progressive ideas may find footing elsewhere, this slice of Tennessee sends a clear signal: traditional values, backed by a robust conservative coalition, aren’t budging anytime soon.