A Democratic candidate running for a congressional seat in Nashville is fighting to save her campaign after resurfaced comments where she declared she 'hates' the city went viral online.
The Viral Comments and Swift Backlash
Aftyn Behn, a 35-year-old state representative, is seen in a clip from the GRITS podcast recorded in February 2020 expressing strong disdain for Nashville's iconic culture. '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 is heard saying.
The resurfaced clip prompted an immediate backlash, with the Republican National Committee (RNC) questioning online why Behn would want to represent a place she professes to hate.
Behn's Defence and Campaign Pushback
In response, Behn posted a nearly two-minute video on the evening of Thursday, November 21, 2024, with the caption 'BREAKING: I DO NOT HATE NASHVILLE LOL.' She decried the controversy as a 'national GOP's new attack' and dismissed the criticism as 'wild rumours.'
She attempted to prove her connection to the city by sharing personal anecdotes, stating she has 'cried no less than ten times in the Country Music Hall of Fame' and frequently visits the historic Ryman Auditorium. While she admitted that the city's reputation for bachelorette parties and honky-tonk venues sometimes irritates her, she insisted she always wants 'Nashville to be better so people can thrive.'
Behn claimed the comments were being used against her because she is 'close to winning' and dramatically referred to the scrutiny as 'The Republican eye of Sauron.' Her campaign manager, Kate Briefs, accused Republicans of panicking and distracting from policy issues.
A Tough Battle for Tennessee's 7th District
Behn is in an uphill battle against Republican candidate Matt Van Epps, a former Tennessee General Services commissioner. They are competing to fill the state's 7th congressional seat, which became vacant after Republican Mark Green resigned earlier in the summer.
Despite the district being rated R+10 by the Cook Political Report, the race has recently shifted from 'solid Republican' to 'lean Republican,' attracting national attention and money. Significant Democratic victories earlier in the month have heightened interest in the contest.
The race has drawn high-profile supporters, with former Vice President Kamala Harris campaigning for Behn, calling it 'the most competitive race in America.' Meanwhile, Donald Trump endorsed Van Epps via a tele-rally, labelling him a 'true America First patriot.'
As the election nears, Behn's past remarks, including calling sororities 'a staple of white supremacy' and branding Tennessee a 'racist state,' continue to fuel a highly contentious and closely watched campaign.
