Joe Leurs
Joe Leurs (Republican Party) is running in a special election to the U.S. House to represent Tennessee's 7th Congressional District. He is on the ballot in the special Republican primary on October 7, 2025.[source]
Leurs completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Joe Leurs was born in Valdosta, Georgia. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1997 to 2010. Leurs earned a high school diploma from McGavock High School, an associate degree from Central Texas College in 2012, a bachelor's degree from Lipscomb University in 2014, and a graduate degree from Lipscomb University in 2016. His career experience includes working as a police detective and entrepreneur. As of 2025, Leurs was affiliated with the Marine Corps League, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Tennessee Veterans Association, the Montgomery County GOP, and the Fraternal Order of Police.[1]
2025 battleground election
Ballotpedia identified the October 7, 2025, Republican primary as a battleground race. The summary below is from our coverage of this election, found here.
The Republican special primary election for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District will be held on October 7, 2025. The general election will be held on December 2, 2025.[2]
The special election will fill the vacancy Mark Green (R) left when he resigned on July 20, 2025, to take a job in the private sector.[3]
WPLN News' Marianna Bacallao wrote, "The Republican side of the race is crowded with 11 men vying for the GOP nomination, the majority of whom have aligned themselves with President Donald Trump in campaign materials."[4] Compared to the Democratic primary, Nashville Banner's Sarah Grace Taylor said, "The Republican primary may be even more complex to predict, with a crowded field of similar candidates lacking big-name contenders."[5]
Five candidates — Jody Barrett, Gino Bulso, Stewart Parks, Lee Reeves, Matt Van Epps — lead in media attention ahead of the election.[5][6] Barrett, Bulso, and Reeves are state representatives. Parks is a real estate developer, and Van Epps is an Army combat veteran.[4]
Barrett was first elected to represent House District 69 in 2022. Barrett highlighted his perfect score on Tennessee Stands' legislative report card, and his campaign website said he was "graded the most conservative legislator in Tennessee history."[7][8] He is running on his record as a state representative, and his campaign website said, "He has consistently stood up for life, defended the Second Amendment, backed law enforcement, and fought back against radical leftist ideology infiltrating our schools, our borders, and our way of life. He is Tennessee-First and America-First."[8]
Bulso was first elected to represent House District 61 in 2022. He is running on his record as a state representative, and his campaign website stated, "In the state legislature, Gino has led the charge in supporting President Trump’s America First agenda. He championed the TRUMP Act to end taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrants, sponsored a ban on sanctuary cities, and blocked Chinese Communist Party-linked entities from buying Tennessee farmland. He defended girls’ sports from woke gender ideology, safeguarded medical freedom during the COVID era, and stood strong for constitutional carry and Second Amendment rights."[9]
Parks, a real estate developer, was arrested on June 3, 2021, in relation to his attendance at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. His campaign website said, "To be able to serve in Congress – to fight for America First and for President Trump’s agenda – after being deprived of my own freedom and thrown into prison by the corrupt Biden Administration, would send the perfect message to the elite political establishment."[10] On the first day of his second term, President Donald Trump (R) pardoned Parks among a group of about 1,500 individuals convicted of crimes related to the Capitol breach.[11]
Reeves was first elected to represent House District 65 in 2024. Reeves said, "President Trump is our quarterback, leading the charge to restore America's strength, security, and values. I'm ready to run the route, take the handoff, or set the block-whatever it takes to advance the conservative principles that have made our district, our state, and our country strong. That's precisely what I've done in the Tennessee House, and I'll bring that same fight to Washington."[12] His campaign website stated, "Lee Reeves fully backs President Trump and his America First agenda to secure our borders, strengthen our nation's defenses, and restore the traditional values that made America great."[13]
Van Epps is a combat veteran and West Point graduate.[14] Gov. Bill Lee (R) appointed Van Epps commissioner for the Tennessee Department of General Services in 2024, and Van Epps resigned in June 2025 to run in this election.[15] Green endorsed Van Epps, calling him "a decorated combat veteran, a relentless fighter, a principled conservative, and exactly the kind of leader the 7th District wants as its voice in Washington."[16] In his campaign announcement, Van Epps said, "It’s time to secure the border, protect our values and put Tennessee first."[4]
Stuart Cooper, Adolph Agbéko Dagan, Mason Foley, Jason Knight, Joseph Leurs, and Tres Wittum are also running.
Elections
2025
See also: Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special election, 2025
Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special election, 2025 (October 7 Democratic primary)
Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special election, 2025 (October 7 Republican primary)
General election
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
The primary will occur on October 7, 2025. The general election will occur on December 2, 2025. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Special general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 7
Teresa Christie, Bobby Dodge, Robert James Sutherby, and Jonathan Thorp are running in the special general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 7 on December 2, 2025.
Candidate | ||
Teresa Christie (Independent) | ||
Bobby Dodge (Independent) | ||
Robert James Sutherby (Independent) | ||
Jonathan Thorp (Independent) ![]() |
![]() | ||||
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, Darden Copeland, Vincent Dixie, and Bo Mitchell are running in the special Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 7 on October 7, 2025.
![]() | ||||
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 are running in the special Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 7 on October 7, 2025.
Candidate | ||
Jody Barrett | ||
Gino Bulso | ||
![]() | Stuart Cooper | |
Adolph Agbéko Dagan | ||
Mason Foley | ||
![]() | Jason Knight | |
![]() | Joe Leurs ![]() | |
![]() | Stewart Parks | |
![]() | Lee Reeves | |
![]() | Matt Van Epps | |
Tres Wittum |
![]() | ||||
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
- Robby Moore (R)
- 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)
Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
We provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from RealClearPolitics, when available. We will regularly check for polling aggregation for this race and add polls here once available. To notify us of polls available for this race, please email us.
Election campaign finance
Name | Party | Receipts* | Disbursements** | Cash on hand | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jody Barrett | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
Gino Bulso | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
Stuart Cooper | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
Adolph Agbéko Dagan | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
Mason Foley | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
Jason Knight | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
Joe Leurs | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
Stewart Parks | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
Lee Reeves | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
Matt Van Epps | Republican Party | $112,020 | $5,852 | $106,168 | As of June 30, 2025 |
Tres Wittum | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2025. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." |
Satellite spending
- See also: Satellite spending
Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[17][18][19]
If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.
By candidate | By election |
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Joe Leurs completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Leurs' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Collapse all
|- Protecting our people from migrant crime, lawlessness in the streets, revolving jail cells, open borders, anemic defense capabilities.
- Protecting your hard earned money, shrinking the government, exposing fraud waste and abuse, lowering taxes, and reducing the deficit.
- Protecting our border against illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
Proven leadership and real-world experience.
A commitment to achieving clear results is essential.
An elected official’s primary responsibility is to represent and serve the people of their district.
Upholding the Constitution:
An elected official has a duty to defend constitutional liberties, including free speech, gun rights, and states’ rights. Congress is the a guardian of the Constitution, tasked with preserving America’s foundational principles.
Ensuring National Security:
An elected official must work to ensure our country is secure against. Especially at our borders which includes supporting our military and law enforcement as a core congressional duty.
Restoring Fiscal Responsibility:
An elected official must be fiscally responsible. By reducing government spending, stopping reckless debt increases, and shrinking bureaucracy. All of which are essential to preserving economic freedom.
5. Passing Common-Sense Legislation
Members of the House are elected every two years and represent smaller, localized districts. This makes them the closest federal officials to the people. Meaning the people’s voice can he heard as legislation is passed, as it directly affects constituents.
Origination of Revenue Bills:
The Constitution gives the House the power to start tax and spending legislation. This matters because it ensures that those most accountable to voters are in control of the government’s money.
Larger, More Diverse Membership:
With 435 voting members, the House includes a wide range of voices, ideas, and communities. This creates a dynamic forum for national debate, often making it more partisan and faster-moving than the Senate.
Frequent Elections Drive Accountability Every 2 Years:
I believe I would be a strong candidate for congressional office because I bring a fresh perspective and offer solutions from outside the political bubble. My focus is on service over self-interest. Results-oriented mindset, not tied to political games. Through almost three decades, I am closer to the concerns of everyday Americans because I am an everyday American.
The crisis at the southern border during the Biden Administration is one of the most urgent threats as millions of people crossed our border unvetted, of which many of them were military age males from countries that have an outspoken hatred of America. Unchecked illegal immigration endangers public safety, strains resources, and undermines the rule of law.
Government Overreach & Erosion of Constitutional Rights:
The growth of federal power is a major danger to all Americans. It threatens individual freedoms, state sovereignty, and parental rights. Preserving the Constitution and decentralizing power are vital for America’s future generations.
Economic Instability & National Debt:
We are witnessing the consequences of reckless spending and increasing national debt. Everything in our daily lives is more expensive because of failed policies. Failing to restore fiscal responsibility will lead to more inflation, potential economic collapse, or fewer opportunities for future generations.
Decline in National Values & Patriotism:
Keeps representatives accountable to their voters.
Forces them to stay engaged with their districts.
Limits detachment from the people or political entrenchment.
By limiting time in office we can reduce corruption, encourage fresh ideas, and keep elected officials focused on results rather than re-election.
I would oppose any compromise on fundamental principles like the Second Amendment, border security, or fiscal restraint. Deals struck for political gain rather than the public good. Backroom deals or unnecessary government expansion.
Cutting Wasteful Spending should be at the forefront of any new spending bill. As a member of the House, I would push for spending cuts, promote balanced, taxpayer-focused budgets.
I support limited government, free markets, and would use the House’s role in tax legislation to oppose tax increases, support pro-business, pro-growth policies.
Such accountability includes holding the government accountable, as we need to restore trust and transparency in government.
I support investigations that:
Expose corruption, abuse of power, or waste.
Protect constitutional rights.
Ensure executive agencies are acting within their legal limits.
Protecting against foreign adversaries, such as China and Russia, and gaining AI superiority. Preventing the use of AI in threats to critical infrastructure or military readiness.
I oppose intrusive AI surveillance in any form by the government. There needs to be strict limits on how agencies use AI, especially regarding privacy and civil liberties. Protection of First and Fourth Amendment rights in the context of AI-powered tools is of the utmost importance.
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
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 26, 2025
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Secretary of State Tre Hargett Provides Timeline for Seventh Congressional District Special Election," July 24, 2025
- ↑ The Tennessean, "US Rep. Mark Green will step down July 20. Who could replace him?" July 8, 2025
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 WPLN News, "Meet the congressional candidates for Tennessee’s special election," August 14, 2025
- ↑ Williamson Scene, "Republican Congressional Candidates Engage Voters in Franklin Forum," August 20, 2025
- ↑ Lewis County Herald, "Rep. Barrett Receives First-Ever Perfect Score on Legislative Report Card: Most Conservative Legislator in State History," June 5, 2025
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Jody Barrett 2025 campaign website, "About Jody Barrett," accessed August 25, 2025
- ↑ Gino Bulso 2025 campaign website, "Meet Gino," accessed August 25, 2025
- ↑ Stewart Parks campaign website, "Home," accessed August 25, 2025
- ↑ Tennessee Star, "Tennessean Stewart Parks Among J6 ‘Hostages’ Pardoned by President Trump," January 20, 2025
- ↑ Lee Reeves 2025 campaign website, "Home," accessed August 25, 2025
- ↑ Lee Reeves 2025 campaign website, "Meet Lee Reeves," accessed August 25, 2025
- ↑ Matt Van Epps 2025 campaign website, "home," accessed August 25, 2025
- ↑ Nashville Banner, "June 11: Matt Van Epps Ready to Run; TCOG Sounds the Alarm," June 11, 2025
- ↑ Fox17, "Mark Green endorses Matt Van Epps in Tennessee race," July 14, 2025
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021