Tennessee’s 7th congressional district has been solidly Republican for decades.

Since the statehouse redrew District 7 to include parts of downtown and West Nashville in 2022, incumbent Republican Mark Green has had no trouble holding onto his seat, which now stretches from Clarksville to Wayne County near the Alabama border. Green handily fended off a challenge from former Nashville mayor Megan Barry just last year. But his surprise retirement in July could present an opportunity for Democrats.

The Cook Political Report, a non-partisan newsletter, first listed the 7th congressional district as “solidly Republican,” but has now shifted that rating to “leans Republican.” Polling still puts Republican candidate Matt Van Epps ahead of Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn for the seat, but the g

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