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Image for TN US House District 7: Copeland defeats Dixie in Dem primary, setting up matchup with Van Epps • Tennessee Lookout

TN US House District 7: Copeland defeats Dixie in Dem primary, setting up matchup with Van Epps • Tennessee Lookout

Tennessee Lookout · August 7, 2026

Nashville businessman Darden Copeland won the Democratic nomination for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District and will face incumbent U.S. Rep. Matt Van Epps in November’s general election. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Nashville businessman Darden Copeland won the Democratic Primary for Tennessee’s U.S. House District 7 Thursday, setting up a general election matchup with Clarksville Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Van Epps.

Copeland defeated Nashville state Rep. Vincent Dixie, former Nashville Metro Councilmember Saletta Holloway and teacher Joshua Sales in the primary. Copeland had 41% of the vote as of 8:34 p.m., when The Associated Press called the race.

Van Epps, a former Tennessee General Services Commissioner, is seeking his first full term in the U.S. House after winning a special election for the 7th District seat in December. The seat was previously held by Mark Green, who stepped down in July 2025.

Copeland and Dixie competed in the special election, but both lost in…