'a True Warrior': Retiring Rep Mark Green Endorses His Potential Replacement In Gop Race

FIRST ON FOX: House Homeland Security Committee Chair Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., connected Monday endorsed Matt Van Epps to switch him successful nan U.S. House of Representatives. 

Van Epps is simply a dressed up Army seasoned and nan erstwhile commissioner of Tennessee's Department of General Services (DGS). He launched his campaign to correspond Tennessee's 7th legislature territory conscionable 2 days aft Green announced his retirement to prosecute a profession successful nan backstage sector. 

"Matt Van Epps has my complete and full endorsement," Green shared successful a connection pinch Fox News Digital. Green revealed that he served successful nan aforesaid Army typical operations portion arsenic Van Epps, which he described arsenic "a brotherhood that cannot beryllium replicated anyplace else." 

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Matt Van Epps, a campaigner for Tennessee's seventh legislature district, poses pinch his woman and daughter.  (Courtesy of Matt Van Epps' Campaign)

"The momentum down Matt’s run is undeniable. Matt is simply a existent warrior who has fought for our state overseas and is fresh to conflict for our values present astatine home," Green said. 

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In a connection shared first pinch Fox News Digital, Van Epps said he is "deeply honored" to person Green's endorsement and "ready to put nan group of nan 7th District first."

"Congressman Green has near immoderate very ample shoes to fill, but I’m fresh to measurement successful and proceed his activity connected behalf of Tennesseans," Van Epps said. 

Matt Van Epps secured nan endorsement of Rep. Mark Green successful nan title to switch his U.S. House seat.  (Courtesy of Matt Van Epps' Campaign)

Van Epps graduated from West Point successful 2005. He served 9 combat tours arsenic an Apache aviator for nan 4th Combat Aviation Brigade and arsenic a Chinook aviator for nan 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known arsenic nan Night Stalkers. 

He was appointed DGS commissioner successful 2024 and has worked for respective Tennessee authorities agencies, including nan Department of Veteran Services and nan Department of Transportation. 

Green announced his status from Congress past month, notifying House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., that he would resign arsenic soon arsenic nan House voted connected Trump's "big, beautiful bill," which Republicans managed to walk by their self-imposed July 4 deadline. 

Green is seen connected Jan. 30, 2024, astatine nan US Capitol successful Washington.  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Green has served Tennessee's 7th legislature district since 2019. His past time successful Congress will beryllium July 20, Fox News was first to report. 

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With his announcement, respective Republican candidates person announced their ain legislature campaigns, including Montgomery County Commissioner Jason Knight, U.S. Army seasoned Jonathan Thorp, Mason Foley of Main Street Health, and authorities Reps. Jay Reedy, Lee Reeves and Jody Barrett. 

State Reps. Aftyn Behn and Bo Mitchell person announced their campaigns for nan Democratic nomination, according to reporting by Tennessee Lookout.