Kamala Harris campaigns in Tennessee to flip a congressional seat

Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris stopped in Nashville to encourage voters to go to the polls to support Tennessee state Rep. Aftyn Behn, the Democratic nominee for an open congressional seat.

"I thank you in advance for being active. This is about you. This is about your future. This is about your country. This is about your people ― and who is the power with?" Harris, the Democrats' 2024 presidential nominee, said.

"The people!" yelled the crowd.

Early voting is ongoing in 14 counties for the special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. Election day is Dec. 2. Behn faces Republican nominee Matt Van Epps and three independent candidates to fill a seat left empty when GOP Rep. Mark Green resigned in July for a job in the private sector.

Harris launched a door knocking effort organized by the Tennessee Democratic Party and Davidson County Democratic Party that drew more than 200 people to the Hadley Park Pavilion in North Nashville on the afternoon of Nov. 18.

Her in-person visit could be seen as an answer to the tele-town hall held by President Donald Trump last week to get out the vote for Van Epps.

"If the President of the United States is having to stump for a candidate in Tennessee, that should tell you that the candidate on the Democratic side is gaining momentum and has an opportunity," said Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Rachel Campbell. "We're going to send a Democrat to Congress from Tennessee, and we're going to show the country what happens when you organize in the South."

Energy around the special election continues to rise on the left as a train of high-profile Democrats have appeared alongside Behn in an effort to get out the vote, including U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas, DNC Chairman Ken Martin, and former DNC vice chairman and progressive firebrand David Hogg.

Winning the seat is a daunting task: Mark Green was reelected for a fourth term by 22 points last November, and President Donald Trump won most counties in the district by three- or four-to-one. 

But special elections can be unpredictable, and Democrats are hoping to capitalize on a strong grassroots ground game and high turnout in the last congressional election of the year. 

Van Epps has said he’s not concerned about his prospects in the race, but his team is continuing to work hard. National Republicans, however, are making significant moves that could be considered unusual in a safe Republican district. 

“This is a Trump-won seat, and Republicans will win on Dec. 2,” said Republican National Committee Spokeswoman Delanie Bomar. “If Democrats want to torch their cash on the AOC of Tennessee — a candidate who backs higher taxes and taxpayer-funded trans surgeries — that’s on them.” 

Later on Nov. 18, Harris drew a capacity crowd of more than 2,300 in Nashville to promote her new book, "107 Days," which documents experiences during her 107-day presidential campaign against Trump.

The hourlong event moderated by political commentator Tim Miller didn't have the feel of a typical author talk. Harris didn't read excerpts or delve into her writing process. Instead, the night had the energy of a political rally.

"It was a crazy day in Washington," Miller said. "Can we talk about that just a little bit?"

"I've been hanging out in Nashville," Harris responded. "It's a good place to be these days."

Harris was last in Tennessee in 2023 after expulsion hearings for three Democratic state lawmakers. 

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at[email protected].