INBOX: “The Moderate Vs Progressive debate is exasperating… Politics isn’t about chasing an imaginary center, it’s about speaking directly to voters’ lives realities.” Want a unique perspective on @aftynbehn.bsky.social closing the TN-7 gap? Here’s Aftyn herself: open.substack.com/pub/aftynbeh...

My favorite new political term is the "Aftyn Behn district"! @aftynbehn.bsky.social changed the political landscape nationwide in just a few short months. We have plenty of work to do, so join your local Democratic party and roll up your sleeves. We've got elections to WIN!

open.substack.com/pub/aftynbeh... @aftynbehn.bsky.social So grateful for her run for Congress AND that she’s in our TN Legislature!

I think we know who to thank for the failure of Trump's effort to bully Indiana Republicans into passing a new gerrymander: Aftyn Behn, Eric Gisler, and every Democrat who's run in a special election this year. The GOP saw all these overperformances, and they were right to be scared.

The first hospital in TN to announce it is closing its maternity ward since the Big Bad Bill passed is in rural Pulaski. Our state has been dead last in the country for our maternal mortality rates for 2 years now. This will make matters worse. #MedSky #ReproSky

GOOD MORNING!!!!!! DID YOU MISS ME?!?!?! First, thank you for the support and words of encouragement. Two, there is no need for a recount per election attorneys. Finally, I'm looking forward to building what comes next. Until then, happy holidays and merry Christmas!

This is just the beginning 👏

@kgreenmd.bsky.social is the GOAT

What we learned in Tennessee (thanks to @aftynbehn.bsky.social’s incredible campaign) is that the backlash to the regime could be even bigger than a blue wave.

WASH POST says JEFF YASS, the billionaire who dumped millions into TN-7 to get Van Epps past @aftynbehn.bsky.social & Jody Barrett, is “driven almost entirely” by private school VOUCHERS (for the rich) aka the war on public schools. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Tennessee Democrats, we've got seats to win next year! @aftynbehn.bsky.social

🚨 BONUS EPISODE JUST DROPPED! We sat down with @aftynbehn.bsky.social for an honest look back at her TN-07 campaign — the wins, the disappointments, the media mayhem, and why she feels hope for the future. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts:

"What Aftyn demonstrated in her work as a state rep, an organizer, a social worker, is that she already knew how to listen and represent people’s needs." @aftynbehn.bsky.social

Here's one I missed but felt it worthy of sharing. Living in TN is tough for this Boston gal, and volunteering countless hours for Aftyn was good for my soul. @aftynbehn.bsky.social

@maddow.bsky.social: You gotta' love a candidate like @aftynbehn.bsky.social, who can give a kick-ass concession speech that's destined to be a victory speech in the future! This woman is as natural as they come, yet has all the skills of a seasoned politician. VOTE*AFTYN*BEHN in all of our futures!

Congrats to @aftynbehn.bsky.social for running a strong campaign. It shows again that we should be fighting every race, every time. Sorry she didn't win, but I think she inspired a lot of people. Well done! #Tennessee #specialelection youtu.be/kwye3J048eI

So it turns out that, with the TX GOP's new gerrymander, there are no fewer than 18 of what you might call "Aftyn Behn" districts. That is to say, seats between Trump +20 to +25—seats Dems probably won't win, but where they could throw a serious scare into the GOP. Via @donnermaps.bsky.social

Over the past few weeks, America saw what we’ve known for years. @aftynbehn.bsky.social is a fearless leader who has dedicated her career to fighting for the underdogs, working families, rural communities, and those too often left behind. ruralorganizing.org/...

Class act, right here.

“Tonight was not the finish line; it was the starting point,” Oliver said to the crowd. @aftynbehn.bsky.social is holding the starter pistol for the 2026 races all across the country.

@aftynbehn.bsky.social you are amazing! The entire country watched in anticipation, you have lost this battle but the war is yet to come! Looking forward to seeing more of you representing the dems! 🫶🫏

If a strong, fearless candidate like @aftynbehn.bsky.social can move Tennessee 14 points in the right direction, the electoral map just blew wide open. www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8UC5u2m/

All the people who knocked doors & helped with Aftyn Behn's @aftynbehn.bsky.social campaign should be proud of themselves. @themanaen.bsky.social was out there pounding the pavement for Aftyn. I'd go into battle with those two ⬆️ any day.

Last night, @aftynbehn.bsky.social proved that when you run with conviction, lead with a vision, and fight for working people, voters will show up for you. A race well run. Onward.

Rep. @aftynbehn.bsky.social ran a bold campaign for working people. And what we saw in #TN07 last night is true across America: voters are sick and tired of Republican corruption.

So very proud of @aftynbehn.bsky.social and everyone who worked and volunteered for her campaign. Dang right it’s just the beginning. Onward. 💙

Van Epps may have won, but @aftynbehn.bsky.social turned a Republican 22 percentage point lead into less than a 9 point one. The momentum is growing. 2026 will be big.

A moment of pure joy from last night: @aftynbehn.bsky.social singing 9 to 5 and the crowd signing with her.

Sad news in the #TN-7 race last night. @aftynbehn.bsky.social was not elected 🥹 However, we can take solace in knowing she turned a +22 R lead into a single-digit margin. If this carries over into the midterms the Democrats are definitely going to take the House! LFG! 🗳️✅ apnews.com/article/tenn...

Seems like a good morning to reshare this. @indivisible.org member @aftynbehn.bsky.social only lost by 9 points last night, in a MAGA+22 district (TN-07). That's a 13 point shift our way, 💙💙💙⬅️🟥, in Tennessee. 🌟We are going to win🌟

That was a great campaign @aftynbehn.bsky.social 👊 Hope that tapped them dry for the midterms - Let's Go Blue!

Congratulations to @aftynbehn.bsky.social on an incredible campaign. In a district Trump won by 22 points, she closed the gap to 9, built important Democratic infrastructure, and forced the GOP to spend millions defending a “safe” seat. That’s not a loss. That’s a preview of 2026.

What @aftynbehn.bsky.social achieved is a political wake up call. At a moment when voters are overwhelmed by the cost of living and fed up with a system that only works for the rich and powerful, Aftyn took on the corruption that fuels it all.

@aftynbehn.bsky.social please please please keep fighting! You’re amazing!

@aftynbehn.bsky.social shattered expectations last night. Her campaign is a lesson for Democrats heading into the midterms: Running against corruption works and will lead to wins across the country in 2026.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to @aftynbehn.bsky.social  and her team for stepping up and running a truly inspiring, people-powered campaign. You organized a movement in the 7th congressional district and beyond, and for that we are forever grateful.

Look at that shift 😍! @aftynbehn.bsky.social you ran an incredible campaign. It seems like we'll have a big blue wave next November!

@aftynbehn.bsky.social You and your team should be proud of the race you ran. What struck me in the heart was you saying your opponent, VanEpps, is a great guy who happens to be backed by bad people. That is classy! You have a bright future at the national level. 💙💙💙

Disappointed that she didn't win, but I'm still impressed with the results. Not only was a historically deep red spot nearly flipped, but she also did that in spite of aggressive gerrymandering designed to quiet the voices of the left in TN. This wasn't a loss, @aftynbehn.bsky.social. KEEP GOING!

POST-ELECTION DEBRIEF: Aftyn Comes Close Kanew breaks down what happened in TN-7, where Rep. @aftynbehn.bsky.social tightened a Trump +22 district to just 8 points. Full: www.instagram.com/reel/DRz1pPs...

WATCH: “It’s important not to learn the wrong lessons.” Kanew on #TN7 + why those saying a more corporatist/centrist candidate would outperform @aftynbehn.bsky.social are getting it wrong and wouldn’t generate the same excitement as her populist affordability anti-corruption message.

💙💪 Thank you @aftynbehn.bsky.social

Bummed that Aftyn Behn didn’t win. But the point gap is much narrower than it was, so that’s something. Keep pushing forward, @aftynbehn.bsky.social 💙

Last night @aftynbehn.bsky.social showed us the playbook. Be bold. Be authentic. Run hard. Contest every seat. Young women are the future. I’m running in KY-6 because I am Kentucky to my core. And I have bold solutions to our problems. I can replicate the Aftyn playbook and flip KY-6.

“The ‘Aftyn hates Nashville’ garbage didn’t work.” Kanew points out despite endless attacks @aftynbehn.bsky.social crushed Van Epps in Nashville, and says the real people who hate the city are Republicans who stripped it of representation and attack it while ducking town halls.

Sadly, Van Epps edged her out in the TN-7 election, which sucks, but the margins were very tight, which means there's still a massive swell of blue support out there, even in blood red states like TN, so there is hope still out there.

Also, even though she's not here much, massive shoutout to @laurenthomanwrites.com who was canvassing everyday for @aftynbehn.bsky.social over the past few weeks. A great way to thank Lauren is to buy one of her books. bookshop.org/lists/books-...

Tonight, we did something everyone counted out. We proved to a nation that states like Tennessee are still worth fighting for. The margin was close, and that can only be attributed to the thousands of volunteers who showed out. This is just the beginning.

STAY IN LINE! Polls close at 7 PM! If you are in line before 7 PM, you can still vote! Call 1-833-DEM-VOTE if you have any problems.

THE STATS ARE IN To all the volunteers - THANK YOU!!!! Polls are open TODAY until 7 PM. You can knock on doors, phone bank, and still get involved if able. {LINK IN BIO} Let's get this done, y'all.