Republican Matt Van Epps defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn in a U.S. congressional race on Tuesday drawing national attention.

The race was called by three media outlets just over 90 minutes after polls closed in the 7th Congressional District. Van Epps, the former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, was leading in unofficial returns with more than 53% of the vote to Behn's more than 45% when the race was called.

Should the result hold through canvassing, Republicans will have a 220-213 edge in the U.S. House of Representatives with two vacancies. Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Texas, died March 5 and Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., resigned Nov. 20. The difference gives the majority party ability to lose three votes across the aisle and still pass legislation if all are pres

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