Jason Knight (Tennessee)
Jason Knight (Republican Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Tennessee's 7th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the general election scheduled on November 3, 2026.[source]
Knight also ran in a special election to the U.S. House to represent Tennessee's 7th Congressional District. He lost in the special Republican primary on October 7, 2025.
Elections
2026
See also: Tennessee's 7th Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on August 6, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.
General election for U.S. House Tennessee District 7
Aftyn Behn, David Jones, Jason Knight, Stewart Parks, and Jonathan Thorp are running in the general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 7 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Aftyn Behn (D) | |
| David Jones (D) | ||
 | Jason Knight (R) | |
 | Stewart Parks (R) | |
 | Jonathan Thorp (Independent) | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 7
Jay Reedy and Matt Van Epps are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 7 on August 6, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Jay Reedy | |
 | Matt Van Epps | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2025
See also: Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special election, 2025
Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special election, 2025 (October 7 Republican primary)
Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special election, 2025 (October 7 Democratic primary)
General election
Special general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 7
The following candidates are running in the special general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 7 on December 2, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| Aftyn Behn (D) | |
| Matt Van Epps (R) | |
 | Teresa Christie (Independent) | |
| Bobby Dodge (Independent) | ||
 | Robert James Sutherby (Independent) | |
| Jonathan Thorp (Independent) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Steven Hooper (Independent)
- Scerick Richard Longcope (Independent)
- David Richard Holbert (Independent)
- Caleb Stack (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Special Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 7
Aftyn Behn defeated Darden Copeland, Bo Mitchell, and Vincent Dixie in the special Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 7 on October 7, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Aftyn Behn | 27.9 | 8,648 |
 | Darden Copeland | 24.9 | 7,716 | |
 | Bo Mitchell | 24.2 | 7,492 | |
 | Vincent Dixie | 23.1 | 7,146 | |
| Total votes: 31,002 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Joy Davis (D)
Republican primary election
Special Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 7
The following candidates ran in the special Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 7 on October 7, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Matt Van Epps | 51.6 | 19,001 |
 | Jody Barrett | 25.3 | 9,335 | |
 | Gino Bulso | 10.9 | 4,004 | |
 | Lee Reeves | 5.2 | 1,929 | |
 | Mason Foley | 2.8 | 1,022 | |
| Stewart Parks | 1.6 | 595 | |
| Jason Knight | 1.0 | 381 | |
 | Stuart Cooper (Unofficially withdrew) | 0.6 | 239 | |
 | Tres Wittum | 0.4 | 133 | |
 | Joe Leurs | 0.3 | 122 | |
 | Adolph Agbéko Dagan | 0.3 | 93 | |
| Total votes: 36,854 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Robert James Sutherby (R)
- Brandon Ogles (R)
- Eddie Lee Murphy (R)
- John Wilt (R)
- John Wesley Smith IV (R)
- Michael Vogel (R)
- Noah Cline (R)
- Robby Moore (R)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2019
See also: Tennessee state legislative special elections, 2019
General election
Special general election for Tennessee State Senate District 22
Bill Powers defeated Juanita Charles, Doyle Clark, and David Cutting in the special general election for Tennessee State Senate District 22 on April 23, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Bill Powers (R) | 53.6 | 6,461 |
 | Juanita Charles (D) | 44.4 | 5,352 | |
 | Doyle Clark (Independent) | 1.3 | 155 | |
 | David Cutting (Independent) | 0.7 | 84 | |
| Total votes: 12,052 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Special Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 22
Juanita Charles advanced from the special Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 22 on March 7, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Juanita Charles | 100.0 | 1,125 |
| Total votes: 1,125 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Special Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 22
Bill Powers defeated Jeff Burkhart, Betty Burchett, and Jason Knight in the special Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 22 on March 7, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bill Powers | 37.3 | 2,782 |
 | Jeff Burkhart | 33.7 | 2,513 | |
 | Betty Burchett | 17.4 | 1,297 | |
| Jason Knight | 11.6 | 868 | |
| Total votes: 7,460 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jason Knight has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Jason Knight asking him to fill out the survey. If you are Jason Knight, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
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2025
Jason Knight did not complete Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jason Knight completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Knight's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Transparency in Government Infrastructure School security and safety of our children with better pay for educators
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Currently the IEP process for disabled children in school takes awhile to process due to how the diagnosis is done I believe that process should be streamlined and educators at all levels should be well trained regarding IEPs
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to my father because he taught me the value of hard work and discipline.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
I like reading the book “company command”
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
The ability to listen to the people and communicate their voice when voting on and legislature.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I have been a company commander in the army 2x. That leadership ability I feel gives me the courage confidence and strength to stand up for what I believe in and what the people believe in.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
To listen to the people.
What legacy would you like to leave?
A legacy of truth and openness.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
I was half a mile away on 9/11 when the first tower fell and I was a mile away when the second tower fell. Surviving that has opened my eyes to many things.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job was working with my father who was an electrician.
What happened on your most awkward date?
I tripped
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Veterans Day because I am a veteran and I believe Veterans Day should be everyday ??
What is your favorite book? Why?
Animal farm, because it shows just from my perspective that if you work hard enough you can be anything you want to be regardless of who you are.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Captain America ??
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My kids
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Star spangled banner
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Dealing with the death of my father and my daughter
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
Having a bicameral state allows less government control
What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?
Draw back of unicameral state is that it gives Government too much control.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
No
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Keeping up with what the community wants versus what the legislators want. All too often representatives make decisions that they think are in the people’s best interests and sometimes that’s not the case.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
To have a good relationship and understanding in order to be able to pass laws that benefit the community
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Yes, because to get any bill passed other legislators have to be able to understand and agree.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
I would have to take a full look
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
I would love to be on a veteran based committee being a veteran myself I believe I can best assist there.
If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?
As a county commissioner I enjoy being on the library board it gives me the opportunity to work with an institution that infrequent with my children
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
I am currently a member of the Republican Party
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Ronald Reagan
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
Currently no
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
There was one where it was explained to me the struggles someone was going through in order to get an IEP approval at a school this touched me because I absolutely related as my wife and I went through the same struggles. Having a child with autism can be a struggle sometimes just trying to get schools to approve IEPs
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
