The Democratic Party is in trouble, and even their own consultants are starting to admit it. Julian Epstein, a longtime Democratic strategist, just called out one of their rising stars, Aftyn Behn, saying she’s “not a very serious candidate.” That’s a big deal. Behn, a state representative from Tennessee, is being called the “AOC of Tennessee” — and not in a good way. She’s running in a special election to fill the seat in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, and it’s clear she’s bringing the same kind of far-left politics that have already hurt the Democratic Party in places like New York and California.
Let’s break this down in plain terms. Aftyn Behn supports ideas like defunding the police and pushing radical policies that don’t sit well with most working Americans. We’ve seen what happens when cities defund the police: crime goes up, businesses shut down, and families don’t feel safe. That’s not what people in Tennessee — or anywhere else — want.
Even Epstein, who spent years working for Democrats, says the party has lost control. He admits that the Democratic leadership used to have a system to keep extreme candidates like Behn from gaining traction. But now, that control is gone. The radicals are running the show, and regular voters are getting left behind.
This isn’t just about one race in Tennessee. It’s a bigger story about how the Democratic Party is falling apart from the inside. Epstein points out that young people are frustrated and looking for answers, but instead of offering real solutions, the Democrats are letting social media influencers and far-left activists take the lead. That’s how we end up with candidates like Behn — people who sound good on a podcast but don’t have a plan that works in the real world.
And speaking of podcasts, Behn is already in hot water for something she said in one. She made negative comments about Nashville — a city she’s supposed to represent. That’s like applying for a job and telling your future boss you can’t stand the company. The Republican National Committee called her out, and rightfully so. If you don’t respect the people you want to represent, why should they vote for you?
Her campaign manager tried to brush it off, saying it was just a distraction. But it’s not. It shows a bigger problem with today’s Democratic candidates — they often act like they’re too good for the people they’re supposed to serve. They talk down to voters, push radical ideas, and then blame everyone else when people don’t buy in.
Behn’s big policy pitch is to eliminate the grocery tax in Tennessee. Sounds nice, but let’s be honest — that’s not going to fix the economy or solve the real issues families are facing. It’s just a talking point. Meanwhile, the Republican candidate, Matt Van Epps, is focused on real solutions: public safety, economic growth, and protecting Tennessee values.
At the end of the day, this race in Tennessee tells us a lot about where the Democratic Party is headed. They’re struggling to speak to regular Americans, and they’re letting the loudest, most extreme voices take over. Even their own people know it. And while they’re fighting amongst themselves, Republicans are staying focused on what matters — faith, family, and freedom.
The average American sees right through this. They’re tired of being told what to think by people who live on Twitter and don’t understand their way of life. They want leaders who care about their communities, not activists trying to score points online.
So when someone like Aftyn Behn runs for office with a platform that sounds more like it came from California than Tennessee, voters notice. And when even Democrats start to say “this is too much,” it’s a clear sign: the silent majority is waking up, and they’re ready to take their country back.