CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Former U.S. Rep. Mark Green hosted four events across District 7 on Friday, speaking in several communities about his endorsement of Matt Van Epps to replace him in Congress. This included an event at the Clarksville Country Club.
Green, who announced his resignation from Congress in June, said Van Epps is the fighter that District 7 needs moving forward. “He’s a decorated Army Special Operations veteran who has dedicated his life to serving our country, and I know he will stand up for Tennessee families in Washington just as he did on the battlefield,” Green said ahead of the event.
Green told those in attendance Friday that District 7 needs someone with the sophistication to move the needle in Washington, D.C., while also being able to stitch together the New York moderate Republicans with the Texas and Tennessee conservatives.
“If you want somebody like that to follow me, if you want somebody like that who understands this community better than any other candidate running, and what this community stands for, supporting those men and women out there who defend us, it’s this guy,” Green said.
‘These events are about bringing people together’
Going into Friday, Van Epps said Green has been a steadfast conservative voice for Tennessee, and he is honored to have his support as he continues his campaign to win the Oct. 7 Republican Primary. “These events are about bringing people together who believe in keeping America strong, defending our freedoms, and ensuring Tennessee values are represented in Washington,” Van Epps said.
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Van Epps said Green’s mentorship began while he was serving in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. “I was deployed eight times to combat, taking the fight to the enemy. I was in Green Platoon as he (Green) was leaving. It was his leading-the-way that was so informative for me in learning how to be a Night Stalker, and how to take the fight to the enemy.”
‘Duty, honor and country is core to who we are’
Van Epps said after those eight deployments, he left active duty and went on to work in small business and served in the state government, which includes most recently as the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services.
“I was honored to lead in that capacity,” Van Epps said. “We were honored to receive a top workplace award, and I do like to say that we were doing DOGE before DOGE in driving government efficiency.” Van Epps said it’s his background that gives him a strategic edge amongst other candidates.
“I’m running because duty, honor and country is core to who we are, and it was core to who I was growing up,” he said. “I’m running because I have a young daughter, and I want what’s best for her generation.”
Van Epps said that he is also running to stand with President Donald Trump and to pick up where Green leaves off.
Green, Van Epps answer questions from constituents
Green and Van Epps took several questions from constituents.
One asked if the two will have an open channel of communication if Van Epps were to be elected. Green – who was chair of the Homeland Security Committee – said that after knowing Van Epps as long as he has, he plans on giving him whatever advice he asks for and then some.
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Van Epps said that that would absolutely be the case. “I see the chairman not just as a friend but as a mentor,” he said. “Somebody who has led in really difficult situations and has gotten things done. I get asked a lot, ‘Who are you going to model yourself after.’ The first person that I would say is Chairman Mark Green.”
Working together to solve problems
Another constituent asked Van Epps about his plans and ability to bring people together from both sides of the aisle. Van Epps said his experiences as a veteran prepared him for such occasions. He said the first step is being willing to come together to problem-solve.
“I did a program in 2019 called the Veterans Program for Politics and Civic Engagement,” Van Epps said. “We deliberately brought in 20 folks who were right of the aisle, and 20 folks that were left. We were all veterans, and it was the first cohort of its kind. It was about how you work together with that common background of being a veteran, to accomplish public sector objectives.”
Van Epps said his ability to build teams is another example of what separates him from his competition.
‘We’re going to fight for federal dollars’
A constituent asked how Van Epps plans to support U.S. House District 7 in Washington.
Van Epps said the first thing that comes to mind is infrastructure. “Montgomery County is the fastest-growing county in the state.” he said. “(I’m) going to continue to fight for federal dollars to continue the movement we’ve got to expand I-24. That third lane is going to start in 2026, so we’re going to fight for federal dollars and the resources we need to extend that from mile marker 12 to Exit 40.”
Van Epps said working alongside local leaders closest to the problems will play a huge part in moving forward with Clarksville-Montgomery County’s infrastructure needs.
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Who’s running for Congress, District 7
Here are the 15 candidates that will be on the ballots for Congress, District 7.
Republican Primary:
- Jody Barrett: Dickson small-business owner and state House member.
- Gino Bulso: A Brentwood trial lawyer and state House member.
- Stuart Cooper: Franklin, with Flagler Technologies.
- Adolph Agbéko Dagan: Clarksville veteran, minister and small business owner.
- Mason Foley: Franklin, former staff member for U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell. Now with Main Street Health.
- Jason Knight: Montgomery County commissioner and former Clarksville City Council member, small-business owner and military veteran.
- Joe Leurs: Retired from Marines and Metro Nashville Police Department.
- Stewart Parks: Nashville real estate agent.
- Lee Reeves: Franklin state House member.
- Matt Van Epps: Nashville former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, military veteran.
- Tres Wittum: Former Tennessee Senate staff member.
| MORE: 4 Republican candidates for Congress talk national debt, Trump agenda at Kiwanis meeting
Democratic Primary:
- Aftyn Behn: Nashville social worker and state House member.
- Darden Copeland: Nashville businessman.
- Vincent Dixie: Nashville businessman and state House member.
- Bo Mitchell: Bellevue state House member.
| MORE: 3 Democratic candidates for Congress tell Clarksville town hall how they can ‘flip this seat’
Independents:
- Teresa “Terri” Christi
- Bobby Dodge: Franklin
- Robert James Sutherby
- Jon Thorp: Springfield military veteran.
U.S. House District 7 covers the western portion of Middle Tennessee, spanning from the Kentucky state line to the Alabama state line. It includes Montgomery County and portions of Nashville/Davidson County and Williamson County.
Early voting dates and registration deadlines
For the Oct. 7 primaries, early voting will be Sept. 17-Oct. 2.
For the Dec. 2 general election, voters must register by Nov. 3. Early voting will be Nov. 12-26.
You can check your registration, update your information, or register to vote at GoVoteTN.gov or by using the free GoVoteTNApp.
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