Hold onto your hats, folks -- Aftyn Behn, the Democratic Party contender for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, is making waves for all the wrong reasons as a 2019 video of her being dragged out of Gov. Bill Lee’s office during a protest goes viral, as Fox News reports.

Behn, now under the microscope ahead of a crucial special election, finds herself defending not just that dramatic moment but also a laundry list of past statements and policy stances that have conservatives raising eyebrows and sharpening their critiques.

Let’s rewind to 2019, when Behn, then a political organizer tied to groups like Indivisible and Enough Is Enough Tennessee, staged a sit-in at the governor’s office to demand the resignation of a state representative accused of sexual assault, though never charged.

Viral Video Sparks Renewed Controversy

In the resurfaced footage, Behn is seen skating past officers before being forcibly removed by law enforcement, reportedly wailing as she’s escorted out with warnings of potential arrest.

A second clip from The Tennessee Holler shows her on day two of the protest, lying in front of the office with a blanket and pillow, visibly emotional and weeping over the confrontation.

This wasn’t Behn’s first brush with the spotlight -- she later won a special election in 2023 for Tennessee’s District 51 -- but it’s the kind of history that doesn’t sit well with those who value law and order over theatrical activism.

Past Statements Fuel Political Firestorm

Adding fuel to the fire, Behn’s past remarks have come back to haunt her, including comments about “hating” Nashville and expressing support for extreme measures like “burning down police stations.”

She’s since tried to walk those back, claiming on a recent podcast that her words were hyperbolic and misunderstood, taken from her old show G.R.I.T.S. (Girls Raised In The South), but skeptics aren’t buying the spin.

“I had a podcast back in the day called G.R.I.T.S. -- Girls Raised In The South -- and I was lamenting about, you know, the things that are wrong with our city,” Behn explained, adding, “Obviously taken out of context, obviously hyperbolic, and I don't feel that way at all."

Policy Positions Draw Sharp Criticism

Behn’s voting record isn’t helping her case, as she’s opposed key fiscal measures like a 2024 tax cut bill worth $400 million that could have refunded up to $1.5 billion to small businesses across Tennessee.

She also voted against extending tax cuts from 2017 that might have saved her constituents around $4,000 each, and she rejected a 2025 state budget proposal that would have boosted funding for fire departments, EMS, senior centers, and teacher bonuses.

Critics, including the Republican National Committee, argue these decisions show a disconnect from the needs of working families, painting her as more aligned with progressive ideals than practical governance.

Republicans Seize on Activist Past

“She is the same woman who says she hates Nashville and wants to burn down police stations,” said Delanie Bomar, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, not mincing words about Behn’s suitability for higher office.

Behn counters that this scrutiny is a politically motivated “attack campaign” by Republicans, but when your resume includes being hauled out of a governor’s office, it’s hard to dodge the perception of being more activist than legislator.

While it’s admirable to fight for what you believe in, there’s a fine line between passion and disruption -- and Behn’s past, paired with her policy votes, might just convince Tennessee voters that her brand of change isn’t the steady hand they need.