Democrats inject "Epstein files" into special election that's scaring GOP

Republicans are racing to avoid an upset in Tennessee, where Democrats hope President Trump's opposition to releasing the "Epstein files" will help them splinter the conservative vote in next month's special election. Why it matters: Trump won Tennessee's 7th congressional district by 22 percentage points in 2024. Losing the seat — vacated by former Rep. Mark Green — to Democrats would fuel expectations that the party is heading for a tough midterm election.A liberal group called Your Community PAC began a $300,000-plus ad blitz on Friday attacking GOP nominee Matt Van Epps for opposing the release of documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein."The Epstein files are locked away. Matt Van Epps will keep them that way," the ad says.The intrigue: Voters have also begun receiving mailers from an outside group that appear to be aimed at splintering the conservative vote.The mailer boosts long-shot independent candidate Jon Thorp, noting his support for releasing the Epstein files. And it targets Van Epps for his opposition to it.Zoom in: Republicans tracking the race say Van Epps is ahead, but not by as much as they would like.Trump on Thursday hosted a tele-rally in which he boosted Van Epps and labeled Democratic nominee Aftyn Behn a "Marxist" and tied her to New York City mayor-elect and democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani.Behn, a state representative, denied the "Marxist" charge to the Nashville Banner. "I've spent my entire career focused on making healthcare more affordable, and I don't think that's 'radical,'" she told the outlet.The big picture: Republicans have struggled in this year's elections, including a tighter-than-expected special election for a Florida House seat, a loss in a Wisconsin Supreme Court election and last week's drubbings in the Virginia and New Jersey governor races.What's next: Two GOP groups, the Club for Growth Action and Conservatives for American Excellence PAC (CAE PAC), are planning to launch six-figure ad campaigns next week, Axios has learned.CAE PAC will spend more than $600,000 in the weeks leading up to the election. Its first ad will begin running Nov. 18.Club for Growth Action's commercials will also start next week.The bottom line: Republicans are confident of Van Epps will come out ahead, but aren't taking any chances.

Comments

World news

USask Huskies capture Mitchell Bowl at home, advance to 2025 Vanier Cup

Global News

Marjorie Taylor Greene casts doubt on Trump‘s MAGA credentials and suggests he is being pressured to cover up Epstein files

about 23 hours ago

Independent

Marjorie Taylor Greene tells Trump to ‘refocus’ on MAGA and tamp down divisive rhetoric as feud over Epstein files intensifies: Live

about 23 hours ago

Group of five in early twenties die in Co Louth car crash ‘while heading to a party’

Metro

Comments

Similar News

Charlotte becomes latest Democratic-run city to be targeted by Trump’s anti-immigration offensive

‘Trump is inconsistent with Christian principles’: why the Democratic party is seeing a rise of white clergy candidates

Epstein texted Democrat hints for questions during hearing into Trump’s former fixer, Michael Cohen

Trump asks Justice to examine Democrats’ ties to Epstein, Bondi complies

Democrats are already coming up with new plans for Trump’s ballroom - should they win the White House in 2028

Trump calls for Epstein's 'ties' with Bill Clinton and other Democrats to be investigated

Trump claims Democrats are pushing an ‘Epstein hoax’

Trump asks U.S. DOJ to probe ‘what was going on’ between Epstein, Democrats

In Trump’s ‘Central Casting’ world, do Democrats need to get ‘hot’ to win?

Scoop: More House Democrats call for Chuck Schumer to resign over shutdown deal

Democrat Eric Swalwell faces federal criminal inquiry for alleged mortgage fraud

Trump faces fresh Epstein claims in new emails released by Democrats

How democrats can fight back

White House outs ‘unnamed victim’ in bombshell Epstein-Trump emails and blasts Democrats for making them public

Only these four Democratic-led states aren’t sharing drivers’ data with ICE

Trump 'knew about the girls,' Jeffrey Epstein claimed in emails as Democrats, GOP release trove of records

House Democrats plot to bypass Mike Johnson in effort to salvage shutdown deal

Chaos erupts on House floor as Democrat moves to condemn fellow party member

Anthony Zurcher: Democrats left bruised after historic shutdown yields little

'Pathetic - it's surrender': Democrat backlash as end to US government shutdown nears

World news

USask Huskies capture Mitchell Bowl at home, advance to 2025 Vanier Cup

Danko Jones on new album ‘Leo Rising’ and what it takes to grind it out on the road

Call of the Wilde: Montréal Canadiens fall to the Boston Bruins

La Nina weather system could bring more deadly storms to Southeast Asia, scientists warn

Hunt for gunman after boy, 10, and 21-year-old woman killed and three others injured in mass shooting in Newark

Marjorie Taylor Greene casts doubt on Trump‘s MAGA credentials and suggests he is being pressured to cover up Epstein files

Marjorie Taylor Greene tells Trump to ‘refocus’ on MAGA and tamp down divisive rhetoric as feud over Epstein files intensifies: Live

Group of five in early twenties die in Co Louth car crash ‘while heading to a party’

The militias battling to form a breakaway coastal state in the Middle East

Christmas is cancelled as shoppers cut back on festive supermarket baskets

Trump wants to crush the BBC. Time for Labour to take a stand

Nearly 70 schools to close in Australia over fears of asbestos in play sand

'Deep sadness' as extensive search off Ireland's coast for missing Royal Navy crew member ends

Arrest over deadly car blast in New Delhi

The cities Trump is targeting with ICE crackdowns next

Trump's $2,000 tariff checks requires legislation, Bessent says

Tragic update in hunt for missing UK Navy crew member after distress call

Five week old baby drowned in bath 'after argument between mum and dad'

B.C. Premier David Eby survives leadership review as NDP delegates signal support

'Fury from Alberta and Saskatchewan': Western patience wearing thin over lack of Alberta pipeline plan

10 necessities for fighting the cold and flu

Bruins hand slumping Canadiens third straight loss

Gun theft lead to shelter-in-place order in Alta.

Vilardi nets shootout winner, Jets down Flames

Forsberg shuts down Senators in return to Ottawa

A rare nugget of bipartisanship: How data farms’ water-gobbling and rate hikes have communities fighting back

How Budget could hit you if you earn over £50k – and what you can do about it

Lorde live in Manchester was a confirmation of her status as a pop star

Cold snap to bring -7°C temperatures and possibly snow as health alerts issued

Iran says it's no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country

Behind the Curtain: MAGA's metastasizing mess

Twilight of the star CEO

Ontario town ends boat rescue service sparking concern among water safety advocates

Naturalized citizens gripped by fear as Trump’s immigration policy shifts

Five people dead after crash on ‘very dangerous’ road

At least 13 injured in ‘freak accident’ as demolition derby car crashes into crowd

Sending licence fee money to Mar-a-Lago not ‘smart’, shadow minister suggests after Trump threatened to sue BBC

Hundreds of thousands rally in Manila against flood-control corruption scandal

Commentary: Front-runner or flash in the pan? Sizing up Newsom, 2028

Noughties diet culture destroyed our girls. I can’t believe it’s back

The cars still available on the Motability scheme if luxury models are cut

Everything we know about the Home Office’s radical asylum overhaul

Is AI being shoved down your throat at work? Here’s how to fight back.

Why are there so many billionaires nowadays?

Five young adults dead after car crash

Photos of the treasures in Rome's exclusive Colonna Palace

Zelenskyy says Ukraine is working on a prisoner exchange with Russia

Foreign minister says Iran is no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country

Co Louth crash: Three men and two women killed in horror car accident

Tragic twist of Disney fan who died in front of resort staff as hidden details emerge

YouTuber Jack Doherty arrested in Miami on drug possession charges

China Escalates Japan Feud With Island Patrols and Warnings to Citizens

'Dear Canada, we miss you': What these U.S. cities and states are doing to woo Canadians back

Despite Trump's cane sugar activism, Canadian Coke drinkers should get used to high-fructose corn syrup

Two-year-old boy dies after falling from 20th-floor apartment window in New Jersey

Border Patrol agents question Christmas light workers as crackdown escalates

Trump turns on Marjorie Taylor Greene in explosive feud that could shatter MAGA movement