The Other Way of Looking at Tennessee’s Special Election Results

There are two ways to evaluate the closely watched results of Tuesday’s special congressional election in Tennessee.

The first conclusion most political observers have drawn from Republican candidate Matt Van Epps’s nine-point victory is that it is a terrible omen for the GOP ahead of the 2026 midterms.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.

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There are two ways to evaluate the closely watched results of Tuesday’s special congressional election in Tennessee.

The first conclusion most political observers have drawn from Republican candidate Matt Van Epps’s nine-point victory is that it is a terrible omen for the GOP ahead of the 2026 midterms.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.