Overview
- Major U.S. outlets projected Matt Van Epps at about 53% of the vote, roughly an eight-point win over Democrat Aftyn Behn.
- The margin is far smaller than Donald Trump’s roughly 22-point advantage in the district during the 2024 presidential election.
- The contest drew national attention and heavy Republican deployment, with Speaker Mike Johnson campaigning locally and the president urging turnout by phone.
- An Emerson College poll days before the vote had Van Epps 48% and Behn 46%, reflecting a race that had tightened in what is typically a safe GOP district.
- With Republicans holding a narrow House majority, party figures warned that any losses could jeopardize control, as Democrats framed the race around cost-of-living concerns while Republicans leveled cultural attacks on Behn.