Tennessee

What Tennessee election result means For midterms

Published

7 months ago

December 3, 2025

What Tennessee election result means For midterms

The results of a closely watched special election in Tennessee has delivered signals for both parties ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

Republican Matt Van Epps defeated Democratic State Representative Aftyn Behn in the contest for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. With 99 percent of votes counted, Van Epps’ lead was around 9 percentage points. He has 53.9 percent of the vote, compared with 45 percent for Behn.

Van Epps’ margin of victory in a deep-red district marks a 13-point shift toward Democrats from 2024, when President Donald Trump carried it by 22 points. While Democrats are buoyed by Behn’s overperformance, some Republicans are sounding the alarm about what the result could mean for the midterms next year.

Why It Matters

The result is the latest concerning sign for Republicans heading into the 2026 midterm season. It comes less than a month after Democrats dominated the first major Election Day since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. Earlier this year, Democrats also overperformed in other special elections in traditionally Republican districts in Florida.

The president’s party typically loses seats in midterm elections, but Trump is hoping to buck those trends by calling on Republican states to redraw House districts to give the GOP an advantage. Each House seat could be crucial because Democrats need to gain just three to take control of the chamber from Republicans and impede Trump’s agenda.

What To Know

Trump celebrated Van Epps’ win, writing in a post on Truth Social that it was “another great night for the Republican Party!!!”

But experts say the single-digit margin of victory bodes well for Democrats ahead of the 2026 contests.

“The fact that it was as close as it was continues to suggest that Democrats are poised to make significant gains in 2026,” Grant Davis Reeher, a professor of political science at Syracuse University, told Newsweek.

“Two factors of special note underline that—first, President Trump made a special effort once it became clear that the race was closer than expected, and second, the Democratic candidate was quite a bit further to the left than the type one would expect to be competitive in that district, and she had some verbal political baggage,” he said, referring to criticism Behn faced over resurfaced remarks made during a February 2020 podcast.

Some Republicans also suggested Van Epps’ slimmer margin of victory should be heeded as a warning.

In an appearance on Fox News on Tuesday evening, Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, said Van Epps’ underperformance was due to voters’ disapproval of Trump and warned that the GOP could lose control of Congress if they don’t “set out the alarm bells” ahead of the midterms.

“This was a very red district and it was dangerous,” he said. “We could have lost this district because the people who showed up, many of them are the ones that are motivated by how much they dislike President Trump,”

He said the midterms will be “a turnout election, and the left will show up,” adding that “hate is a powerful motivator.”

Cruz added that Republicans need to encourage conservative voters to turn out, or they risk losing control of the House and the Senate.

Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska, who is retiring, told Politico that the GOP “should not ignore the Virginia, New Jersey and Tennessee elections” and “must reach swing voters.”

And although Behn did not manage to flip the seat, Democrats are celebrating the result as a sign of the party’s momentum as well as an indication that messaging on affordability, health care and other issues could win over voters in traditionally red regions.

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said the result “makes it clear: Democrats are on offense and Republicans are on the ropes.”

In a statement, Martin said: “Aftyn centered her campaign on lowering grocery, housing and health care costs for Tennessee families. Her Republican opponent ran his campaign focused on Donald Trump, and he had to get bailed out by a massive Republican spending onslaught to barely hold this traditionally safe Republican seat.” He added it should have Republicans “shaking in their boots.”

Pollster G. Elliot Morris said that a rural district in Tennessee “ended up just a high-single-digits win for Republicans should be a five-alarm fire” for the party ahead of the midterms. In a post on his “Strength in Numbers” newsletter, Morris said that the result confirms a broader trend in recent special elections for vacant congressional seats, where Democratic candidates have been “dramatically overperforming” benchmarks based on the 2024 election.

Morris predicted that the 13-point shift toward Democrats in Tuesday’s election could translate “to something like a 7- or 8-poit swing for the midterms,” though he noted that it remains unclear what House maps will ultimately look like for each state in 2026 due to redistricting efforts.

Kent Syler, a professor of political science at Middle Tennessee State University, previously told Newsweek that if Behn overperformed, it would bolster Democrats’ efforts to recruit strong candidates to run in more competitive districts in the midterms.

Anything above 45 percent would be “the cherry on top,” he said.

What People Are Saying

Grant Davis Reeher, a professor of political science at Syracuse University, told Newsweek: “It bears repeating that November 2026 is still a year away, and a lot can happen. I’d also note that it doesn’t tell us that much about 2028. The 2026 midterms are likely to be more about the reactions to the first two years of the Trump administration, and that’s what these recent sets of elections were primarily about as well, but in 2028 the Democrats will need to make a positive argument on their own behalf.”

Costas Panagopoulos, a professor of political science at Northeastern University, told Newsweek: “Huge shifts in a Democratic direction in all counties in Tennessee’s special election last night does not bode well for Republicans in the upcoming 2026 midterms.

“For a GOP stronghold district that voted for Trump by 22 points in 2024 to be decided by a single-digit margin indicates voters are unhappy with Republican policies and performance. If this sentiment persists and becomes cemented in the electorate over the next few months, it will be virtually impossible for Republicans to overcome the historical headwinds that were already making the midterms an uphill battle for the party.”

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Congratulations to Matt Van Epps on his BIG Congressional WIN in the Great State of Tennessee. The Radical Left Democrats threw everything at him, including Millions of Dollars. Another great night for the Republican Party!!!”

Republican Senator Ted Cruz said on Fox News: “What does this mean for the midterms in a year? It’s going to be a turnout election, and the left will show up. Hate is a powerful motivator. They hate President Trump.”

He added: “What we’ve got to make sure is, number one, that conservatives show up, but number two, that just the common sense middle regular people who what is dangerous in an off-cycle election is people that are feeling complacent, like things are going well, I’m happy. And the danger is those folks stay home. We’ve got to set out the alarm bells that if we allow the Democrats to flip the house, to flip the Senate, it is an absolute catastrophe.”

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a statement: “What happened tonight in Tennessee makes it clear: Democrats are on offense and Republicans are on the ropes. Aftyn Behn’s overperformance in this Trump +22 district is historic and a flashing warning sign for Republicans heading into the midterms.”

He added: “The fact that Republicans spent millions to protect this Trump +22 district and still lost so much ground should have the GOP shaking in their boots.”

What’s Next

Behn’s showing adds to a trend of overperformances that could help Democrats target districts once considered safely Republican. For the GOP, the Tennessee result shows the party must work to win back swing voters who appear to be shifting toward Democrats.

Both parties are likely to adjust their strategies heading into the high-stakes midterm cycle.

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Tennessee

TN Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for July 8, 2026

Published

3 hours ago

July 9, 2026

Press Room

The Tennessee Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at July 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from July 8 drawing

12-29-37-43-55, Powerball: 18, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from July 8 drawing

17-26-31-32-37, Star Ball: 01, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from July 8 drawing

Morning: 5-0-7, Wild: 6

Midday: 9-0-5, Wild: 8

Evening: 4-7-3, Wild: 3

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from July 8 drawing

Morning: 1-9-3-7, Wild: 4

Midday: 0-0-0-8, Wild: 3

Evening: 8-0-5-3, Wild: 1

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Tennessee Jackpot numbers from July 8 drawing

07-14-15-18-29

Check Daily Tennessee Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Tennessee Cash numbers from July 8 drawing

01-02-06-13-27, Bonus: 03

Check Tennessee Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from July 8 drawing

06-27-33-44-69, Powerball: 23

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 8 drawing

16-18-43-48-50, Bonus: 01

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Tennessee Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Tennessee Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket, a copy of a government-issued ID and proof of social security number to P.O. Box 290636, Nashville, TN 37229. Prize claims less than $600 do not require a claim form. Please include contact information on prizes claimed by mail in the event we need to contact you.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID and proof of social security number to any of these locations:

Nashville Headquarters & Claim Center: 26 Century Blvd., Nashville, TN 37214, 615-254-4946 in the (615) and (629) area, 901-466-4946 in the (901) area, 865-512-4946 in the (865) area, 423-939-7529 in the (423) area or 1-877-786-7529 (all other areas in Tennessee). Outside Tennessee, dial 615-254-4946. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Knoxville District Office: Cedar Springs Shopping Center, 9298 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922, (865) 251-1900. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Chattanooga District Office: 2020 Gunbarrel Rd., Suite 106, Chattanooga, TN 37421, (423) 308-3610. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Memphis District Office: Chiles Plaza, 7424 U.S. Highway 64, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133, (901) 322-8520. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://tnlottery.com/.

When are the Tennessee Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Cash 3, 4: Daily at 9:28 a.m. (Morning) and 12:28 p.m. CT (Midday), except for Sunday. Evening game daily, seven days a week, at 6:28 p.m. CT.
Daily Tennessee Jackpot: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Tennessee Cash: 10:34 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Powerball Double Play: 10:30 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Tennessean editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Tennessee

Data centers driving up Tennessee power bills, report finds

Published

13 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

Data centers driving up Tennessee power bills, report finds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Home power bills are feeling the impact of data centers opening across Tennessee communities, according to a new report from ThinkTennessee.

Researchers found electricity usage has increased by more than 7.2 times over the past five years as data centers opened in the Tennessee Valley region. Areas with data centers saw average power bills rise more than the state average, but the increase was not distributed evenly among customers in those areas.

“Tennessee’s data center growth is arriving faster than the rules designed to manage that growth,” research director Chris Candelaria said. “Our report isn’t saying whether data centers are good or bad. Instead, we’re trying to highlight the issues that communities and policymakers need to know about.”

Residential customers hit harder than businesses

Residential customers in communities with data centers saw their bills jump 3.2 percent, to an average of $149 a month, between 2023 and 2024, the report found.

During that same period, commercial customers, including data centers themselves, saw their bills slightly decrease. By comparison, the statewide average power bill over the same period increased 1.3 percent.

Candelaria said the findings are tied directly to where the data centers are located and signal what may be ahead for the rest of the state.

“Residents seeing these higher prices and that’s associated with where the data centers are located,” Candelaria said. “We know that the data centers are coming, and the report’s really just forecasting that this situation may play out in more places across the state. This is an issue that city and community leaders will need to address directly.”

He said the trend warrants close attention, but stopped short of drawing firm conclusions in their report based on the data analyzed.

Tennessee emerges as a data center hub

The report, titled “Powering the Boom,” describes Tennessee as an emerging data center market that has likely not yet seen the full scale of potential growth. For roughly 15 years, the state’s electricity consumption was essentially flat or declining before the current surge began around 2020.

Data center facilities planned, operating or under construction in Tennessee represent approximately 2,177 megawatts of demand capacity which is roughly equivalent to powering more than 1.3 million homes for a year. Those facilities are concentrated in and around Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville.

Grid strain, costly outages a concern

Candelaria said the study drew on data from across the country to examine how data centers are already affecting communities and what Middle Tennessee should plan for.

“As we get requests for more data centers, there’s an issue with how is that going to affect our current grid infrastructure? This is the key question,” Candelaria said. “We also provide in the report some studies from other states. If you over-strain the system, what does that mean? Well, it could lead to costly outages. We’re just trying to think strategically.”

Alex Kardokus is among the more than 500,000 people who signed a petition against a proposed data center near the Nashville Zoo. He said his concerns have since expanded to the broader impact data centers could have across the city after learning about this report.

“NES, we don’t want that (bill) to go higher because it’s already expensive in Nashville. Don’t want that to be a raising,” Kardokus said.

Policy seen as key to managing growth

Candelaria said policies, including data center zoning restrictions Metro Council is currently working on, will be key to protecting families from further cost increases. He said the decisions made now will shape whether the growth benefits or burdens Tennessee residents.

“The policy choices that we make now on pricing and grid planning will determine whether that growth is going to strengthen the state’s economy or whether that’s going to shift costs onto everyday households,” Candelaria said.

He added that the situation requires a balancing act, as data centers also bring jobs and economic opportunities to the communities where they operate.

ThinkTennessee said a second installment of the “Powering the Boom” series is expected to lay out policy options aimed at protecting ratepayers while the sector continues to grow.

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Tennessee

In-N-Out’s fifth Tennessee location is opening soon. Here’s how many stores are planned

Published

23 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

In-N-Out’s fifth Tennessee location is opening soon. Here’s how many stores are planned

In-N-Out Burger will soon open its fifth Tennessee location in Madison, near Nashville.
The California-based chain currently operates four stores in Tennessee and plans dozens more.

In-N-Out Burger will soon be opening its fifth Tennessee store.

The beloved burger chain lists six locations as “opening soon” on the Grand Openings page of its website, including a restaurant in Madison. The Madison location will open at 1900 Gallatin Pike North, about 13 miles northeast of Nashville.

The store also plans to open stores in Arizona, Utah, Idaho and two in California, USA TODAY reported.

Find your next meal on DoorDash

In-N-Out, which announced plans for a major expansion and a new headquarters in Tennessee in 2023, opened its first Tennessee restaurants in December 2025.

The chain, known for animal-style fries and double-double burgers, opened locations in Nashville’s Antioch neighborhood, Murfreesboro and Lebanon in early December. It then opened a fourth Tennessee restaurant in Franklin just a few months later.

Here’s what else to know about the West Coast-based company’s expansion into the Volunteer State.

Why is In-N-Out expanding to Tennessee?

In-N-Out is moving to Tennessee to establish a $125 million corporate hub in Franklin, on the Berry Farms site near Interstate 65. It’s estimated that In-N-Out’s expansion into Tennessee will create 275 jobs and a $125 million investment in the state.

Lynsi Snyder confirms relocation to Tennessee

In 2025, billionaire heiress Lynsi Snyder announced she would relocate her family to the Volunteer State as the company expands eastward.

In a podcast appearance with conservative host Allie Beth Stuckey, Snyder cited frustrations with California’s high costs and regulatory burdens on businesses and families.

“There’s a lot of great things about California, but raising a family is not easy here. Doing business is not easy here,” Snyder said. “The bulk of our stores are still going to be here in California, but it will be wonderful having an office out there, growing out there.”

After facing criticism for her comments, Snyder clarified that moving to Tennessee offers In-N-Out associates “wonderful opportunities” to buy homes, raise families, and participate in the company’s growth in a new region.

In a video posted to social media, she called the move “a very healthy plan for our growth,” highlighting opportunities for employees in Tennessee and potentially neighboring states.