Federal

U.S. Representative, 7th Congressional District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 4
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives votes on federal laws, taxes and spending on behalf of the district.

The district's lines were redrawn in May 2026: check your district by address.

Candidates Compare by issue

Darden Copeland

Democratic

Public affairs firm founder and CEO · Nashville

The gist

Supports banning stock trading by lawmakers and executive officials.
Pledges to refuse corporate PAC money; supports term limits.
Opposes Medicaid cuts and supports keeping rural hospitals open.
Opposes cutting or privatizing Social Security and Medicare.
Opposes cuts to the U.S. Department of Education.
Supports Congress stopping many of the administration's tariffs.
Supports leaving data center rules to states and localities.

More about Darden

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Supports banning stock trading by lawmakers and executive officials.
The Issues — Darden Copeland For Congress
Campaign website · Darden Copeland for Congress · dardenforcongress.com
“Darden supports a full ban on stock trading by members of Congress, their families, and members of the Executive Branch.”
Pledges to refuse corporate PAC money; supports term limits.
The Issues — Darden Copeland For Congress
Campaign website · Darden Copeland for Congress · dardenforcongress.com
“Darden also refuses to take corporate PAC money during his campaign. He supports term limits”
Opposes Medicaid cuts and supports keeping rural hospitals open.
The Issues — Darden Copeland For Congress
Campaign website · Darden Copeland for Congress · dardenforcongress.com
“he'll fight to protect Medicaid, defend affordable health care premiums, lower prescription drug costs, and keep rural hospitals open”
Opposes cutting or privatizing Social Security and Medicare.
The Issues — Darden Copeland For Congress
Campaign website · Darden Copeland for Congress · dardenforcongress.com
“Darden will draw a hard line: no cuts, no privatization, no games with the retirement security of Tennessee's seniors.”
Opposes cuts to the U.S. Department of Education.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: United States House of Representatives District 7
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Tennessee (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I will fight against any cuts to the Department of Education once elected to Congress.”
Supports Congress stopping many of the administration's tariffs.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: United States House of Representatives District 7
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Tennessee (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“stop many of the tariffs that President Donald Trump has put in place”
Supports leaving data center rules to states and localities.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: United States House of Representatives District 7
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Tennessee (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I do not believe Congress should regulate data centers; they should, however, regulate AI.”

Andrew J. Koontz

Independent

Portland

The gist

No documented position found.

More about Andrew

Lowell Reynolds

Independent

Audio engineer; law student · Nashville

The gist

Supports restoring congressional checks on executive power.

More about Lowell

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Supports restoring congressional checks on executive power.
Lowell Reynolds For Congress
Campaign website · Lowell Reynolds For Congress · lowellforcongress.com
“too many in Congress have failed to do their job, abdicated their responsibilities, and are handing more and more power to a thirsty Executive Branch”

Matt Van Epps

RepublicanIncumbent

U.S. Representative; Army veteran · Nashville

The gist

Introduced a bill training federal officers in lethality assessments.In office
Introduced a bill funding domestic critical mineral processing.In office
Secured a higher military death gratuity in the House NDAA.In office
Offered an NDAA amendment assessing aging base water systems.In office
Sponsored a House-passed bill assessing terror threats in allied nations.In office
Introduced a resolution condemning the Afghanistan withdrawal decisions.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Matt

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Introduced a bill training federal officers in lethality assessments.
Rep. Van Epps’ Bill Empowers Domestic Violence Victims to Seek Help
Public statement · Office of Rep. Matt Van Epps · Sep 16, 2026 · vanepps.house.gov
“This legislation trains federal law enforcement officers to conduct a Lethality Assessment when encountering a domestic violence situation.”
Introduced a bill funding domestic critical mineral processing.
Van Epps and McCollum Introduce Bipartisan Critical Materials Future Act
Public statement · Office of Rep. Matt Van Epps · Sep 15, 2026 · vanepps.house.gov
“This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would establish a pilot program at the Department of Energy to financially support domestic critical material processing projects.”
Secured a higher military death gratuity in the House NDAA.
Rep. Van Epps Secures Major Legislative Victories in FY27 NDAA
Public statement · Office of Rep. Matt Van Epps · Jul 22, 2026 · vanepps.house.gov
“this legislation updates the military death gratuity by increasing the benefit for survivors from $100,000 to $165,000”
Offered an NDAA amendment assessing aging base water systems.
Rep. Van Epps Introduces NDAA Amendment to Improve Water Infrastructure at Fort Campbell
Public statement · Office of Rep. Matt Van Epps · Jul 1, 2026 · vanepps.house.gov
“this amendment, which directs an evaluation of water and wastewater infrastructure at our oldest military installations, is so important.”
Sponsored a House-passed bill assessing terror threats in allied nations.
House Passes Rep. Van Epps’ Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act
Public statement · Office of Rep. Matt Van Epps · Jul 13, 2026 · vanepps.house.gov
“It requires the department to provide Congress with a comprehensive assessment identifying foreign terrorist organizations operating within MNNA countries”
Introduced a resolution condemning the Afghanistan withdrawal decisions.
Rep. Van Epps’ Resolution on Fifth Anniversary of Afghanistan Withdrawal
Public statement · Office of Rep. Matt Van Epps · Aug 27, 2026 · vanepps.house.gov
“introduced a resolution condemning the series of decisions that led to the death of 13 servicemembers at Abbey Gate.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 7 issues covered in this race.