Joe Leurs
Joe Leurs (Republican Party) 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.
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]
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
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. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates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)
- Robby Moore (R)
- Brandon Ogles (R)
- Eddie Lee Murphy (R)
- John Wilt (R)
- John Wesley Smith IV (R)
- Michael Vogel (R)
- Noah Cline (R)
Endorsements
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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.
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- 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
