With just under two weeks remaining before a crucial special election in a Tennessee Congressional District, recently uncovered audio reveals the Democratic candidate’s candid feelings about the seat she is campaigning for.

Aftyn Behn, a Democratic state representative from Nashville and her party’s choice for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, expressed her disdain for the city that could become the heart of her congressional seat during a February 2020 episode of the GRITS podcast.

In the resurfaced audio clip, Behn is heard saying, “I hate the city, I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music, I hate all of the things that make Nashville. I hate it.”

Behn has also previously described sororities as “a staple of white supremacy,” and has referred to Tennessee as a “racist state.”

Facing a challenging campaign, Behn competes against Republican Matt Van Epps, a former Tennessee General Services commissioner, who seeks to fill the vacancy left by Republican Mark Green. Green resigned earlier this summer to pursue a position in the private sector.

While the Cook Political Report rates the seat as R +10, indicating a Republican advantage, Green had previously secured victory by over 20 points. However, the race has seen a slight shift towards Democrats, with the rating moving from “Solid Republican” to “Lean Republican” last week.

Trump-aligned super PAC MAGA Inc. jumped into the race as well last week, with a small expenditure of $15,000 for phone banking.

Significant Democratic electoral victories earlier this month have drawn substantial media attention and money to the race in the last few weeks.

Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, poses outside a women’s bathroom at the state Capitol, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Country star Kelsea Ballerini at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards held at the Dolby Theatre on March 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California

Late night visitors enjoy the lively atmosphere, bars, clubs and cafes, under the neon lights of Broadway Street in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Broadway, especially Lower Broadway, is the heart of Nashville’s entertainment and music scene

U.S. Seventh Congressional District candidate Matt Van Epps speaks during a political forum Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Dickson, Tenn.

Former Vice President and failed 2024 presidential candidate Kamala Harris hit the campaign trail in person to boost Behn earlier this week, calling her race ‘the most competitive race in America.’ However, she did not mention the candidate by name or appear alongside her.

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, supported Van Epps via a tele-rally last week, calling him a ‘true America First patriot who has dedicated his entire life to serving our country.’ 

Behn has been endorsed by groups such as the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, AFL-CIO, and the Working Families Party. At the same time, Van Epps is boosted by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the Club for Growth PAC, and the National Rifle Association (NRA).

Green’s sudden departure from Congress was a surprise.

‘It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from Congress,’ he said in a statement at the time.

‘Recently, I was offered an opportunity in the private sector that was too exciting to pass up,’ Green added.

Green called it ‘an honor of a lifetime’ to work in Congress, he also touted many of his achievements as committee chairman.

He also addressed his previous retirement announcement and subsequent reversal.

Then-Vice President Kamala Harris hugs expelled Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, before Harris speaks at Fisk University, Friday, April 7, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.

‘Though I planned to retire at the end of the previous Congress, I stayed to ensure that President Trump’s border security measures and priorities make it through Congress,’ he wrote.

‘By overseeing the border security portion of the reconciliation package, I have done that. After that, I will retire, and there will be a special election to replace me.’

The announcement also came after Green was publicly embroiled in an alleged affair in 2024  and roasted by his former wife online.