Congressional candidate slams poll showing four-way tie

 

Rep. Lee Reeves, to the left of U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, at podium, and Rep. Gino Bulso,
right of Ogles, are tied in one poll for the GOP nomination in Congressional District 7.
(Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

by Sam Stockard, Tennesee Lookout, August 29, 2025 - The special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District seat is heating up – or turning weird – depending on your perspective.

Responding to a poll this week that proclaimed a four-way tie in the crowded Republican primary, state Rep. Lee Reeves’ congressional campaign issued a statement calling the Spry Strategies survey a “totally fake ‘poll’ with less credibility than the Robert Mueller Report and the Steele Dossier,” referring to allegations of Trump-Russia connections a decade ago. 

Reeves’ group further said it was run by a “fake Never Trumper firm” connected to former House Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff, Cade Cothren, both of whom were convicted this year on federal corruption charges.

Reeves’ campaign sent out the missive after the conservative advocacy group, Americans for Prosperity – Tennessee, released polling results showing Reeves and state Rep. Gino Bulson tied with 19.9% each, Rep. Jody Barrett of Dickson with 18.6% and former General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps at 15.9%. All were within the 4.4% margin of error for the survey conducted from Aug. 19-23 for the 7th District race to replace former U.S. Rep. Mark Green.

While Reeves’ people were belly-aching, Bulso’s campaign claimed he “surged” into a tie for first in the AFP poll after entering the race just weeks ago, enabling him to take part in an upcoming debate.

Both candidates claim to be the one most capable of carrying out President Donald Trump’s agenda. In fact, every Republican candidate in the country is saying the same thing.

Bulso, who spends most of his energy driving a stake into the heart of the LGBTQ+ community, said he gained momentum from endorsements by state Rep. Jay Reedy and NASCAR Hall of Fame racer Darrell Waltrip.

Barrett, the target of a dark money group called the School Freedom Fund over opposition to private-school vouchers, also is promising to “stand with President Trump and fight the liberal elites trying to destroy our way of life.” He touts himself as Tennessee’s first lawmaker to earn a “perfect conservative voting record” on a report connected to Williamson County-based Tennessee Stands and posts a picture of himself with country music star John Rich, an ultra-conservative voice on state issues.

Van Epps, a West Point graduate who served multiple tours of duty, received the endorsement of Green, also a West Point guy who served as an Army physician and interviewed captured Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

It should be noted that Spry Strategies touts a 93.7% accuracy rate within margins of error and 94.5% rate in predicting key primary and general election outcomes. The firm also posts a testimonial on its site saying its services are “essential” to Tennessee’s House Republican Caucus and Speaker Cameron Sexton.

Wait a second. Hold on a minute. Isn’t Reeves a member of that caucus? Don’t they hang on AFP’s every word?

Oh well, this election wouldn’t be any fun if candidates weren’t beating each other over the head.

In the Democrats’ column, state Rep. Vincent Dixie of Nashville landed an endorsement this week from Square One, which looks for “the most promising” people of color, women and LGBTQ+ community to run for Congress in red districts and states.

State Rep. Bo Mitchell of Nashville touted endorsements by four unions, including Teamsters Local 480, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 572, Iron Workers Local 492 and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Division 129.

State Rep. Aftyn Behn of East Nashville landed an endorsement from Indivisible Tennessee, a grassroots organization that focuses on progressive issues.

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