There is an old saying in politics that your words have a way of coming back to haunt you, and that truth is playing out in real time for one Tennessee Democrat just days before voters head to the polls.
Aftyn Behn, the Democratic nominee seeking to represent Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, finds herself in hot water after comments from a 2020 podcast resurfaced this week. In the recording, Behn did not mince words about Nashville, the very city she now hopes to represent in Congress.
“I hate the city, I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music, I hate all of the things that make Nashville apparently an ‘it’ city to the rest of the country. But I hate it,” Behn stated plainly in the unearthed audio.
The timing could hardly be worse for the candidate. A special election is scheduled for December 2, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, when Republicans are banking on traditional holiday distractions to suppress turnout. Both parties have poured millions into this race for the seat vacated by House Homeland Security Chair Mark Green earlier this year.
The district itself stretches from the Tennessee-Kentucky border down to Alabama and includes portions of Nashville. In 2024, Green carried the district with nearly 60 percent of the vote, making this an uphill battle for any Democratic challenger under the best circumstances.
Behn, currently serving as a state representative, is facing off against Republican Matt Van Epps. Her campaign quickly moved into damage control mode after the video went viral, with Behn taking to social media to dispute the characterization of her remarks.
“NO, I DO NOT HATE THE CITY I REPRESENT,” she wrote, arguing that Republicans were sharing the footage only because they feared losing the race. She claimed to have “cried in the Country Music Hall of Fame no less than 10 times” and insisted the attacks were signs of GOP panic.
In a follow-up video, Behn walked back her previous statements somewhat, acknowledging that bachelorette parties and pedal taverns occasionally make her “mad” but stopping short of a full apology.
The political damage, however, may already be done. During early voting on Thursday, one local Democrat named Tim Ford told reporters he regretted his vote after hearing Behn’s remarks. “I want to go get my vote back and keep it,” Ford said, adding that he believed Behn should apologize repeatedly.
Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson seized on the controversy, drawing a stark contrast between the candidates. He noted that Van Epps stands committed to helping Nashville continue to thrive, while questioning Behn’s dedication to a city she once said she hated.
The episode serves as a reminder that in the age of recorded media, casual comments made in seemingly friendly settings can become campaign-defining moments. Whether Behn’s explanations will satisfy voters remains to be seen, but with early voting ending on November 26, time is running short to change the narrative.
For Democrats hoping to flip this solidly Republican district, the controversy represents an unwelcome distraction in the final stretch. For Republicans, it offers a gift-wrapped opportunity to paint their opponent as out of touch with the constituents she seeks to serve.
The voters of Tennessee’s 7th District will render their verdict soon enough.
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