A Fox News anchor has sparked controversy by launching a personal attack on a Democratic congressional candidate, suggesting her mother failed in raising her and that she has 'mommy issues'. The remarks from Julie Banderas came during a tense special election in a traditionally Republican Tennessee district.
A Personal Attack in a High-Stakes Race
During a segment on Wednesday, 26th November 2025, Fox News anchor Julie Banderas did not hold back in her criticism of Aftyn Behn, a Democratic state legislator running for the US House of Representatives. The discussion, which included Fox News contributor Kaylee McGhee White, centred on comments Behn made on a podcast five years ago.
Banderas referenced a Daily Caller article about the 2020 podcast, where Behn discussed her decision not to have children. Behn had recounted a recurring dream of shouting 'I don’t want children, I want power' and reflected on her mother's advice that having children requires significant professional sacrifice.
After highlighting these remarks, Banderas passed a harsh judgement. 'Obviously, her mother did not do a very good job in raising her,' Banderas declared. She concluded the segment by exclaiming, 'She’s got mommy issues, for sure.'
The Political Context: A Republican Stronghold Under Threat
This personal criticism is not happening in a vacuum. The verbal assault coincides with growing Republican anxiety over a special election in Tennessee’s 7th District, a seat that Donald Trump won by 22 points just a year prior.
The election is being held to replace former GOP Rep. Mark Green, who retired in June. A recent poll has shown a surprisingly tight race, with Behn trailing her Republican opponent, Matt Van Epps, by just two points.
The political stakes could not be higher. A Democratic victory in this ruby-red district would reduce the number of Republicans in the House to 218, the exact number required to maintain a majority. This precarious situation is set against the upcoming departure of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in January and other special elections in Democrat-leaning areas, potentially putting the GOP in the minority.
Media Strategy and Campaign Framing
In response to this threat, Fox News and other conservative media outlets have intensified their focus on the Tennessee race. Their strategy has involved multiple on-air interviews with Van Epps while framing Behn as a 'crazy left-wing radical' and the 'AOC of Tennessee'.
Additionally, the network has repeatedly criticised Behn for a resurfaced clip where she says she 'hates Nashville', using it to paint her as out of touch with the district she seeks to represent. The remarks about her upbringing appear to be part of this broader media campaign to undermine her candidacy.
During the same segment, contributor Kaylee McGhee White called Behn's comments 'extremely disappointing' and 'the exact opposite of what young women my age need to hear,' framing the candidate's personal choices as a negative reflection on her values.
