Behn, Dixie Show Teeth as D7 Democrats Fight to Stand Out

Behn, Dixie Show Teeth as D7 Democrats Fight to Stand Out

by Sarah Grace Taylor, Nashville Banner

September 10, 2025

Democratic candidates in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special election debate at First Baptist Church - Capitol Hill on Tuesday night. From left: moderator Brittany Cole, State Rep. Vincent Dixie, State Rep. Aftyn Behn, Darden Copeland, and State Rep. Bo Mitchell. Credit: Martin B. Cherry / Nashville Banner

Democrats vying for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District tried to set themselves apart from one another at a candidate forum Tuesday, despite generally sharing pro-labor, pro-choice and economic mobility-centric campaign platforms.

When organizers gave candidates a chance to ask each other questions, state representatives Vincent Dixie (D-Nashville) and Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) targeted each other, while Rep. Bo Mitchell (D-Nashville) and Darden Copeland stayed away from confrontation.

After the hosts — the Central Labor Council of Nashville/Middle Tennessee, SEIU Local 205, Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood, Tennessee Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, The Equity Alliance Fund, TIRRC Votes — asked five other policy questions, candidates were able to each pose one question related to the broader issues discussed at the forum to any one of their opponents.

Dixie, the only Black candidate, led by asking Behn, who is white, how she would work to make sure Black constituents had a voice in D.C. if she were elected.

"I am very grateful for the organizing of Black women who have made me the best organizer I can be," Behn responded, noting how she has worked with organizers to try, unsuccessfully, to end the state sales tax on groceries.

"I have always followed the lead of Black women, and I am very grateful we have a lot of support in the district," Behn continued, also committing to adding a full-time Black organizer for the Davidson County Democratic Party if she is elected.

Later, Dixie called out Behn for only mentioning Black women, saying, "I just want to make sure you understand that it's more than Black women in this world that you'll be representing. There are also Black men that need to be in that conversation," he said, as members of the audience snapped in agreement.

Behn was next, dealing the biggest blow of the night when she called out Dixie and Mitchell for accepting donations from Advance Financial, a high-interest payday lending company that makes substantial donations in Tennessee politics.

"I want to know why Rep. Bo Mitchell and Rep. Dixie have both taken money from Advance Financial, a predatory loan company," Behn said, as the crowd let out audible gasps and "oohs."

Mitchell reportedly accepted $25,500 from Advance Financial between 2010 and 2024, while Dixie accepted $4,000 in the same period.

In his rebuttal, Dixie argued that the company can "help people in a bind sometimes,"

"I didn't vote for the increase in APR. I didn't do that because I think that it was unfair," Dixie said, noting that people living paycheck to paycheck may need the loans for things like emergency car repair. "But in my community, sometimes they do need that $200."

"So yes, I do support them when they do right," he added.

Mitchell echoed Dixie's comments about the lender being an option for those who can't access cash otherwise and argued that the company was relevant in both his personal life and district.

"The owners of that company are from Bellevue. They are in my district. The lobbyist for that company has been a friend of mine for over 25 years, worked on many political campaigns, including both [Phil] Bredesen administrations, with me," Mitchell said. "And Advance Financial employs a lot of people in my district."

Audience members react to Rep. Aftyn Behn's question to State Reps. Vincent Dixie and Bo Mitchell about accepting donations from Advance Financial. Credit: Martin B. Cherry / Nashville Banner

Behn noticeably winced on stage as Mitchell described his relationship with the company.

Copeland later noted that he has not accepted any PAC money and said this was the kind of issue Republicans would use against them in the general election.

After that skirmish, Copeland and Mitchell both asked softball questions directed to Dixie about how he balances legislative responsibilities and family life and how he remains, according to Copeland, "the nicest guy in all of politics."

Organizers said in a release that more than 150 voters attended the event. A straw poll conducted after the forum was apparently compromised, reflecting "dozens" more votes than the number of people in attendance, so the results have not been shared.

One Nashville voter, a middle-aged white woman who asked not to be named, said she hadn't decided who to vote for before the forum, but was now leaning toward Behn, specifically citing the Advanced Financial contributions and Copeland's unfamiliarity.

Still, she said, she's concerned about Behn's ability to win in the general election.

"Electability is definitely a concern," she said of Behn, "but seeing her passion tonight sold me."

Behn physically distanced herself from the other candidates after the forum, leaving the stage promptly as the other three spoke in a huddle.

The four candidates will face off in the Oct. 7 special primary election to determine who will run against the Republican nominee in the Dec. 2 special election to replace Rep. Mark Green.