Retiring Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) endorsed Army veteran and U.S. Military Academy graduate Matt Van Epps Monday to replace him in the House.
Green announced he would resign following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with a reported House exit date of July 20. Van Epps launched his campaign two days after Green’s announcement.
“Matt Van Epps has my complete and total endorsement,” Green shared in a statement with Fox News.
The congressman said he served in the same Army special operations unit as Van Epps and described it as “a brotherhood that cannot be replicated anywhere else.”
“The momentum behind Matt’s campaign is undeniable. Matt is a true warrior who has fought for our country abroad and is ready to fight for our values here at home,” Green said.
Van Epps was a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard and later was the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services. His campaign said he is a “proven conservative leader” who is ready “to support President Trump’s MAGA agenda in Washington.”
Van Epps is not the only Republican to run for Green’s seat in the red district. Tennessee state Reps. Jody Barrett, Jay Reedy, and Lee Reeves announced their intentions to run, along with Montgomery County Commissioner Jason Knight.
But Van Epps told Fox News he is “deeply honored” to receive Green’s endorsement, which could make him the favorite in the GOP primary.
“Congressman Green has left some very large shoes to fill, but I’m ready to step in and continue his work on behalf of Tennesseans,” Van Epps said.
The GOP and Democratic primaries will take place on Oct. 7, with the general election set for Dec. 2. On the Democratic side, Tennessee state Reps. Bo Mitchell and Aftyn Behn have declared their intentions to run. Former Tennessee Senate Minority Leader Jeff Yarbro and former Nashville Mayor John Cooper have also been floated as possible candidates.
Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates the race “likely Republican,” a step down from the “safe Republican” it was before.
MARK GREEN RETIREMENT SETS OFF RACE FOR HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
Green’s retirement announcement launched a scramble for his position as the House Homeland Security Committee’s chairman.
Eyes have turned to the members of the Homeland Security Committee with the most seniority, including Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Michael Guest (R-MS). McCaul told the Washington Examiner that he turned down the opportunity, while Guest told the Magnolia Tribune that he has “enjoyed building an expertise on the issues under the Committee’s jurisdiction” since being elected to represent Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional District.