FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Democratic Candidates Running for Congressional District 7 Discuss Issues Ranging from Human Rights of Workers, Immigrants to the Cost of Living, Healthcare, and Housing
TIRRC Votes Press
media@tirrcvotes.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Elizabeth Madeira, TIRRC VOTES, 615-474-3076, Media@TIRRCVotes.org
Jason Luntz, The Equity Alliance Fund, 931-249-2532
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Link to Livestream Here
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Democratic Candidates Running for Congressional District 7 Discuss Issues Ranging from Human Rights of Workers, Immigrants to the Cost of Living, Healthcare, and Housing
NASHVILLE, TN – More than 150 residents of Tennessee's Congressional District 7 gathered tonight for a comprehensive candidate forum featuring the four Democratic candidates vying for the district’s special election seat. The event, hosted by six grassroots organizations, emphasized the urgent need for representation that prioritizes constituents over corporate interests.
"It's past time that District 7 has a Congressional Representative that listens to the voices of the people instead of lobbyists and billionaires," stated Pratik Dash, TIRRC Votes Policy Director, setting the tone for an evening focused on how residents can live, work, and thrive amid economic challenges and attacks on fundamental freedoms.
The forum demonstrated strong Democratic unity on core issues while revealing distinct approaches to organizing, coalition-building, and electoral strategy. With the special election drawing national attention as the first major contest following recent legislative upheaval, candidates emphasized the critical importance of flipping this seat to restore Democratic control in Congress.
Candidate Profiles
Representative Aftyn Behn positioned herself as a grassroots organizer with nine years of experience building coalitions and taking on Democratic establishment when necessary. She has filed lawsuits to protect reproductive rights and emphasized her track record of voter mobilization.
Representative Vincent Dixie highlighted his experience representing a district that mirrors the demographics of Congressional District 7. He stressed the importance of strategic coalition-building and voter education in a state ranked 51st in voter turnout.
Darden Copeland introduced himself as a first-time candidate with a business background in clean energy development, having built solar projects across multiple states. He emphasized his experience working within Democratic politics and bringing together coalitions with diverse interests to bring change.
Representative Bo Mitchell highlighted his working-class background as the son of a drywall finisher and his legislative achievements on labor issues and infrastructure development.
Key Issues Addressed
Economic Justice and Affordability: While all candidates acknowledged the crushing burden of rising costs for groceries, healthcare, and housing, current State Representative Vincent Dixie emphasized the need for policies that allow working families to pay their bills on a single job while having money left over for savings, highlighting the importance of protecting public programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
Infrastructure Investment in Black Communities: Candidates addressed the historic underfunding of Black neighborhoods, both rural and urban. State Representative Aftyn Behn noted that "money circulates an unlimited amount of time in white communities, only once in Black communities," calling for targeted support for Black-owned small businesses. State Representative Bo Mitchell emphasized the need for resources in schools and infrastructure, while Vincent Dixie stressed the importance of accurate census participation to secure federal funding.
Workers' Rights and Union Support: All four candidates expressed strong support for collective bargaining rights, with many citing union endorsements and personal connections to organized labor. Representative Bo Mitchell highlighted his legislative work requiring union workers on government construction projects during his time on Nashville Metro Council, noting that the Nashville convention center was completed "on budget and on time" for projects completed by unions compared to the projects that were completed late and over budget.
Immigration Justice and Fighting Authoritarianism Candidates addressed the current immigration crisis and rising authoritarianism with urgency and moral clarity. Bo Mitchell condemned what he called "bully behavior," noting that "no one in this country should live in fear" and citing CATO Institute data showing "over 80% of people being detained have committed no crime." He criticized "Stephen Miller's evil quotas" targeting families "trying to make a living and put food on their table."
Darden Copeland emphasized that immigrants are "doing every level of job in this state and this nation—not just farm workers," while criticizing an immigration system that's "impossible to figure out." He specifically highlighted the plight of 90,000 Afghan refugees who aided U.S. military efforts, warning that abandoning them would undermine future national security efforts.
Vincent Dixie framed the fight as fundamental to democracy itself, stating that "Congress is conceding its power to someone who wants to be a dictator." Aftyn Behn, who has participated in ICE watch efforts with community members, emphasized building coalitions to "counter authoritarianism" and criticized elected leaders who were "nowhere to be found" when immigrant families needed protection.
Reproductive Freedom and Healthcare Access All candidates expressed unwavering support for reproductive rights, with personal stories underscoring their commitment. Representative Vincent Dixie, married for 27 years with two daughters, emphasized that healthcare decisions should remain private under HIPAA protections while calling for proactive rather than reactive legislation on emerging technologies.
Aftyn Behn demonstrated her commitment through direct action, having filed lawsuits to protect reproductive rights. Darden Copeland, speaking as a husband and father of a daughter, declared his opposition to current restrictions and called for restoring Roe v. Wade, applauding Behn's legal efforts while emphasizing that "we shouldn't have to travel to another state" for healthcare.
Bo Mitchell also brought personal perspective, sharing that his family includes both an adopted son and a child through embryo adoption, emphasizing that "all those families had a choice." He stressed that "reproductive freedom should be for everyone" and criticized the lack of Democratic backbone in Congress, stating "we need to fight for this freedom for women."
Climate and Economic Development: The forum concluded with discussion of the Inflation Reduction Act's $7 billion investment in Tennessee, creating nearly 8,000 jobs before Republican efforts to repeal key provisions. Mitchell noted that Tennessee's automotive manufacturing sector, including Volkswagen in Chattanooga and GM in Spring Hill, depends on clean energy investments that Republicans now threaten to eliminate.
"This election is our chance to protect good-paying jobs and smart economic policy," Mitchell stated, emphasizing the need for a candidate who can compete effectively across the district's diverse geography.
Be sure to attend the next Congressional District 7 Forum on Monday, September 15 from 6-8:30pm at the Turner Family Event Center in Clarksville, 416 College St.
PRESENTED BY:
Central Labor Council of Nashville/Middle TN
SEIU Local 205
Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood
Tennessee Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
The Equity Alliance Fund
TIRRC Votes