Why did Montgomery County's 20% veteran population favor Van Epps?

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Montgomery County, anchored by Clarksville and Fort Campbell, has a 20% veteran population versus 6% nationally. Van Epps, a West Point graduate who flew Apache and Chinook helicopters on nine combat tours with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers), directly appealed to this demographic. He maintains his commission as a colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard and plans to join the House Armed Services Committee. Behn led early voting in Montgomery by 3 points (51%)—a 21-point swing from Trump's 18-point 2024 margin—but Van Epps dominated Election Day turnout, ultimately winning the county. Veterans prioritize military experience and defense policy, giving Van Epps credibility Behn couldn't match. His campaign emphasized "supporting the troops" and Trump's "America First" defense agenda. The county cast 19,000 early votes, nearly matching Nashville's Davidson County, showing high engagement in military communities. This pattern mirrors Virginia's 2nd District, where Navy veterans shape elections.

Why did Montgomery County's 20% veteran population favor Van Epps?

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