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An upcoming special election to replace retired Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) is bringing top Democratic names to a district President Donald Trump carried by more than 20 points in 2024. And the results could "send shockwaves around the country," reports Politico.

Green officially resigned from Congress on July 20, 2025. He did not complete his term and said he was leaving to pursue an opportunity in the private sector related to competing with China in business.

Politico writes that "Democrats’ sweeping victories last week have the party eyeing gains in even Trumpier territory."

Democratic nominee Aftyn Behn agrees, telling Politico, "It really feels like there’s so much momentum on the ground,” adding that "The national attention is on this race and on Tennessee."

According to Politico, Behn is within 8 to 10 points of her Republican opponent Matt Van Epps, which she said places her in “striking distance.”

Politico says that Republicans are concerned because this is the last special election of 2025 and voters may be experiencing "lingering post-off year enthusiasm."

"Republicans in the state are worried that the Thanksgiving holiday may keep voters away from the polls Dec. 2. Some voters showed up last week thinking the special election was taking place at the same time as other off-year races," they write.

The national parties, however, are all in, with the DNC recruiting volunteers and phone-banking for Behn and the RNC telling Politico they're committing "six figures" to Van Epps' race.

“I’m cautiously optimistic,” Scott Golden, chair of the Tennessee Republican Party, tells Politico. “But I think that there’s a lot of blocking and tackling that we still need to do to make sure that the vote comes out.”

Van Epps' campaign manager Alex Joyner knows the gravity of the race, saying, "This isn’t a race to sit at home for."

Golden doesn't think the Democratic enthusiasm will matter much in Tennessee, saying, "I get enthusiasm [from Democrats], but fundamentally this is not New York City,” Golden said. “Tennessee is very conservative, and we understand what the stakes are.”

Behn disagrees and says if she can flip the seat, it will be a "blueprint to winning the House in 2026."

"If we are able to flip it, it will send shockwaves around the country,” she says. “And it’ll be a testament to the type of candidate that will be successful in the South and how to rewrite the Democratic playbook for the future.”