Game, Set, Match
🗳️ Van Epps vs. Behn · More Boring news · BNA goes dark for a night · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. The D7 primaries are over. The Van Epps vs. Behn general is on the horizon... More on the Boring Co.'s loop... BNA goes dark for a night... And much more!
Like what we do? Forward us to a friend.
🗳️ D7: It’s Van Epps vs. Behn Former state General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps and state Representative Aftyn Behn came out on top after the polls closed for the special 7th Congressional District primary last night. The Republican and Democrat nominees will face off in the general election on December 2.
Van Epps beat out ten other Republican candidates—though, with drop outs, the number dwindled over the course of early voting—by securing over fifty percent of the vote. Last Friday, President Donald Trump issued a late endorsement in support of Van Epps and also hosted a tele-rally on Monday. According to TriStar Daily, Van Epps got a 19 point bump on election day compared to his early vote turnout.
On the Democrat side of the ticket, it was a nail biter as the numbers rolled in on Tuesday night. Ultimately, Representative Aftyn Behn won with 28 percent of the vote in a four way race that ended up pretty evenly split among the candidates.
As far as turnout on both sides of the aisle, the numbers are pretty close. Just under 37,000 voters pulled the lever in the Republican primary and 31,000 voters pulled the lever in the Democrat primary. Matt Van Epps and Representative Aftyn Behn will also face off against four Independent candidates in the general election.
🚇 Music City Loop Update Last week, the Boring Company shared that they will be pursuing 45 separate permits/approvals in order to construct the tunnels that will connect the airport to downtown Nashville. That number does not include permitting they will need for stations along the route. Over the last two months, the company has also engaged with more than 70 local community organizations and participated in over 30 in-person volunteer events, and have responded to over 50 inquiries submitted by locals.
On Monday, Nashville Fire Chief William Swann assured the Rotary Club of Nashville that he is doing everything in his power to ensure the tunnel is safe. "I don't care whose idea it was: If it's coming to Nashville, my responsibility is to make sure not only that residents and visitors feel safe using it, but also the responders," Swann told the group.
Despite some cold exchanges between the city’s administration and the Boring Company, the fire chief has had productive and positive conversations with company executives. "There is a thousand-and-one questions that we had, and most of those are answered," said Swann. "We will be fair and hard on them. If there's something I don't like, if there's something we don't feel good about, I will vent that and express it, because we don't hold back when it comes to public safety."
⧖⧗⧖ GETTING BITCOIN FOMO? ⧗⧖⧗
|
Bitcoin is at an all-time high Want to learn more? Talk to Scott Porter. He'll advise you on the best way to acquire and hold bitcoin. Curious what owning bitcoin looks like? Sign up for a free consultation below. |
🛬 Shut Down Shuts Down BNA Nashville International Airport went dark last night when a number of air traffic controllers called in sick due to the government shut down. Yesterday, the Federal Aviation Administration had to reduce flights in and out of Music City and passengers experienced 2 hour delays. The staff levels have since returned to normal and the ground delay was lifted overnight.
According to ABC News, controllers aren’t furloughed during government shutdowns because they’re considered essential workers. “An estimated 13,294 controllers will continue to work without pay during the shutdown, according to the Department of Transportation's shutdown plan.”
HEADLINES
- 🗳️ Memphis state representative Justin Pearson, a member of the “Tennessee Three” who rose to prominence after his expulsion and reinstatement from the state house, announced he’ll run against longtime incumbent Steve Cohen in the 2026 Democratic primary. The race pits a 29-year-old progressive activist against a 76-year-old congressman who has held the deep-blue 9th District seat since 2006.
- 🏳️🌈 After losing major corporate sponsors, Nashville Pride raised only about $145,000 of its $250,000 target through a “Save Nashville Pride” campaign, signaling waning community and corporate support as organizers struggle to fund next year’s festival.
DEVELOPMENT
- The Hitchcock, a new tavern-style bar, opens this fall downtown (NBJ)
- 55-acre live entertainment campus nears Nashville opening (NBJ)
- Nobu hotel, restaurant eyed for River North (Post)
- Barrel Proof owners to open Love’s Alibi Gets in Gulch (Scene)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🎸 Empire of the Sun @ Nashville Municipal Auditorium, 8p, $15+, Info
🎵 The Temptations & Four Tops @ Ryman Auditorium, 7p, $62+, Info
🎸 Magdalena Bay @ Marathon Music Works, 8p, $39.50, Info
💀 Tennessee Dead @ Tennessee Brew Works, 6p, Info
🪕 Bluegrass Night @ The American Legion Post 82, 7p, Free, Info
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
The Pamphleteer
The Pamphleteer
The Pamphleteer
The Pamphleteer
Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik and Camelia Brennan.