Governor Bill Lee approves Matt Van Epps for the 7th district of the Tennessee Congress

First on Fox: Less than a week before the primary elections, Governor Bill Lee, R-Tenn., Approves the Republican Matt Van Epps to replace former representative Mark Green in the House of Representatives of the United States.

Green’s retirement has sparked a competitive special election with a Field of 19 amazing candidatesincluding 11 Republicans in the running for the appointment of the party. Van Epps obtained Green’s approval before his last day representing the 7th district of the Tennessee Congress in July.

“My friend Matt Van Epps has my complete and total approval, and I can’t wait to call him my member of the congress,” Lee announced on Tuesday. “I’m going to vote for Matt, and I encourage all the Conservatives to join me to do the same on October 7.”

Van Epps told Fox News Digital that he was “deeply honored” by Lee’s approval, promising to defend President Donald Trump’s agenda in the House and to be a “conservative voice”.

Mark Green resigns from Congress, the majority of the Gop House Gop

Governor Bill Lee, R-Tenn., On the right, approved Matt Van Epps to represent the 7th district of Tennessee. (Matt van Epps campaign)

“Matt Van Epps is the first conservative fighter, we need representation of Tennessee,” Lee said in a statement. “As a graduate of West Point, a combat driver for decorated special operations, current national guardian and former member of my office, Matt has the character and the courage to go to Washington and fight for Tennesseans.”

“ A real warrior ”: the retired representative Mark Green approves his potential replacement in Gop Race

Van Epps was appointed Commissioner of DGS in 2024 and worked for several state agencies of Tennessee, including the Ministry of Veterans Services and the Ministry of Transport.

“In his time as a commissioner, he worked to reduce administrative formalities, increase the responsibility and stimulate the effectiveness of the government. He will remain fully with President Trump, bringing the same direction focused on congresses to defend our conservative values ​​and fight against liberal policies that threaten our way of life,” said the governor.

Van Epps graduated from West Point in 2005. He served nine combat visits as a apache pilot for the 4th combat aviation brigade and as a Chinook pilot for the 160th special operations aviation regiment, known as Night Stalkers.

The president of the House of House Mark Green, R-Tenn., Arrives in Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, January 30, 2024. Green resigned from Congress earlier this year. (J. Scott Applewhite / AP Photo)

Green announced his retirement from Congress last month, informing the chamber president Mike JohnsonR-La., Which he resigns as soon as the room voted on “Big and Beautiful Bill” of Trump, which the Republicans have succeeded in adopting by their self-imposed deadline.

Green had served The 7th district of the Tennessee Congress Since 2019, and his last day at Congress was on July 20. He was president of the House’s internal security committee.

His first retreat from the congress reduced the majority already thin in the House to 219 Republicans and 212 Democrats in July.

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The 7th district of Tennessee voted for Trump by more than 20 points last year.

The primary is set for October 7, before the special election on December 2.