As Donald Trumps approval ratings continue to plummet, all eyes have turned to a special congressional election in Tennessees 7th district, which has shocked politicos by becoming a competitive race for Democrats after going for Trump by 22 points.The result of Republican gerrymandering, the district encompasses parts of Nashville and nearby rural counties and was essentially designed to always go red. But a recent poll from Emerson College Polling/Hill had the Republican candidate, Matt Van Epps, leading his Democratic opponent, State Rep. Aftyn Behn, by only 2 points. Related Democrats are taking back school boards as voters tire of Republican culture wars Even if Behn doesnt win the race something that would have been unthinkable a few weeks ago a defeat by single-digits could signal major trouble for Republicans in the 2026 midterms, USA Today reporters Joey Garrison and Zac Anderson point out.The Trump-endorsed Van Epps has championed a strong right-wing platform, including strong opposition to trans rights, or as he put it on his website, the woke lefts push for gender surgeries and mutilation on minors. He also said he would fight to ban trans women (whom he referred to as biological men) from competing in womens sports. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Republicans who have rallied around Van Epps have pointed to Democrat Behns support of trans rights as a reason not to vote for her.In a Truth Social post on November 30, Trump revealed his clear anxiety over the race and what it might signal if Van Epps performs poorly. Trump begged those in the district to please GET OUT AND VOTE on December 2. He claimed Behn hates Christianity, will take away your guns, wants Open Borders, Transgender for everybody, men in womens sports, and openly disdains Country music.He also reportedly told voters over the phone at a recent rally that the whole world is watching and they have to show that the Republican party is stronger than its ever been. The outcome of the race will not only determine whether the razor-thin GOP majority in the House gets even thinner, but will also be a huge bellwether for the 2026 midterm elections, when Democrats are widely expected to dominate, as indicated by the very blue results of this years off-cycle races.House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) attended the aforementioned rally, where, according to the New York Times, he also expressed his anxiety. I thought Tennessee was deep red, he told the crowd, questioning how Behn who he called a dangerous far leftist has gained so much steam.Behn has long been known in the state for her progressive ideals and her grassroots rise to victory in state politics. In 2023, local reporter Kathryn Rickmeyer called Behn a vehement supporter of LGBTQ+ rights the AOC of Tennessee. Her longtime partner has a trans son, and she called the Supreme Court decision upholding her states gender-affirming care ban a gut punch to transgender youth and their families.In Tennessee, this ruling adds fuel to the fire of the GOPs war on trans youth, she wrote. The exhaustive list of anti-trans legislation and resolutions passed by the Tennessee General Assembly isnt about protecting kids its about using fear to distract us from real issues like the fact that our budget is busted, our roads are falling apart, and our grocery prices are the highest in the country. Republicans have also glommed onto a (factual) 2020 comment she made about how both men and women can give birth. Among many other right-wing accounts, the GOP posted the clip on X and called her radical, unhinged, and out of touch. Behn spoke with Newsweek on Monday in the hours before Election Day to respond to Donald Trumps tirade against her on Truth Social.President Trump is saying all these things because he doesnt have a plan to address the rising cost of health care and to ensure that working Tennesseans are able to afford health care, groceries and utilities, she said. She also expressed optimism for the election, declaring, The momentum is on our side.Nothing really shocks me anymore in the year 2025, she added. But I will say that Trump and his billionaire friends are spending millions of dollars in a race that they should have won handily.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.