Matt Van Epps

Republican | Tennessee

Candidate Profile*

Conservative

*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Matt Van Epps


Party

Republican


Election Year

2025


Election

Special Primary CD 7


Race

U.S. House, District 7


Incumbent

No


Links

Matt Van Epps websites FacebookXLinkedIn

EDUCATION

United States Military Academy at West Point, Bachelor's, 2005

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Master's, 2019

WORK & MILITARY

United States Army, Active Duty, Major, 10

Tennessee Army National Guard, Lieutenant Colonel, 10

AFFILIATIONS

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

U.S. House of Representatives, TN-07

ENDORSEMENTS*

*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (2)

*Club for Growth PAC; Mark Green

OTHER (1)

*President Donald J. Trump

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)

Congressman Mark Green; 2025

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)

WinRed (2025); State Republican Party Organizations (2024)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)

Peter and Claire Bray (2025); WinRed (2025)


QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Strongly Agree

Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.

Choose not to answer

Personally, I am pro-life. As a person running for federal office, I believe this is a states' rights issue.

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

I share President Trump's position on this issue. I'm pro-life and support exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother. I will promote families and a culture of life.

Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?

I agree with President Trump in bringing this issue back to the states. The federal government should never require individual states to perform abortions.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

Did not answer

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree


NATIONAL SECURITY

With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.

Did not answer

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Agree

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

The United States-Israel alliance is crucially important for our national and global security. I stand with Israel as a beacon of democracy in the Middle East. I also support the Abraham Accords, regional diplomacy, and the denuclearization of Iran.

What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?

Woke requirements and ideology from the Biden administration have caused a sharp decline in military recruitment and retention. I support Secretary Hegseth's initiative to shift back to meritocracy and his investment in the warfighter. Furthermore, I believe President Trump is on the right path in restoring power to our military through his push in peace through strength.


HEALTHCARE

Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?

I am strongly opposed to vaccine mandates. This should only be a decision between a family and their doctor.

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

Did not answer


ECONOMY

What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?

I would have voted for the Big Beautiful Bill, now Law, which has provided the biggest tax cuts in American history. I stand with the President in these efforts and will continue supporting his agenda to unleash the American economy.

Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.

Strongly Agree

Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?

No


IMMIGRATION

The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.

Agree

President Trump has already done a phenomenal job in securing our border, now we must prioritize the deportation of illegal immigrants.

Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?

I support a system of legal immigration where we prioritize bringing the best and the brightest of the world, who will swear allegiance to the United States, its principles, and the Constitution.


EDUCATION

I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.

Strongly Agree

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Strongly Agree


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.

Strongly Disagree


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

The federal government does not have a place in preventing people from protecting themselves, their families, or their property.


JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY

The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.

Strongly Disagree


ABOUT YOU

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?

Very Conservative

What do you think is the general purpose of government?

It's defined by the U.S. Constitution.

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

No.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

No.


VALUES

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Did not answer

Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.

Strongly Agree

Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.

Strongly Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I am, have been, and always will be a God-fearing Christian.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

The Electoral College should be abolished.

Choose not to answer


EQUALITY

I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.

Strongly Disagree

Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.

Strongly Agree


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Strongly Disagree

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

I support the continued use of fossil fuels and natural gas. We must also prioritize the development of nuclear energy.

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