A Tennessee candidate for Congress, presenting herself as a champion of the working class, faces scrutiny over a voting record that appears to contradict her public persona. Aftyn Behn, a Democratic state representative, is vying to replace Congressman Mark Green in the 7th District, but her actions in the state legislature paint a complex picture.
Last year, Behn opposed a bill that would have delivered a $400 million tax cut to Tennessee’s small businesses, potentially returning as much as $1.5 billion to owners. This vote raises questions about her commitment to easing the financial burdens of local entrepreneurs, a key component of the state’s economy.
She also actively campaigned against a Republican-led tax extension – labeled the “one, big beautiful bill” – that would have maintained tax cuts initially enacted in 2017. Ironically, allowing those cuts to expire could have meant a substantial tax *increase* of nearly $4,000 for residents within her own district.
Further complicating the narrative, Behn voted against a statewide budget that aimed to bolster the state’s “rainy day fund.” This fund serves as a crucial financial cushion during economic downturns, preventing drastic tax hikes when revenue declines. The budget also included vital funding for volunteer fire departments, senior centers, and emergency services.
Behn’s campaign website portrays her as a dedicated advocate for those failed by existing systems, fueled by a frustration with policies favoring the wealthy. She publicly criticized the tax extension as a “giveaway to the rich,” framing it as a transfer of wealth away from working families.
However, independent analyses suggest a different outcome. Estimates indicate that if the 2017 tax cuts had been allowed to lapse, Tennessee residents in her district would have faced a tax *increase* of approximately $3,717 per taxpayer – a figure at odds with her stated goals.
During her time in the state legislature, Behn championed the repeal of Tennessee’s grocery tax, arguing it would provide much-needed relief to hardworking families. Yet, opponents contend that this repeal would have been offset by a new business enterprise tax, ultimately increasing the tax burden on small businesses by an estimated $800 million.
Comparisons to progressive figures like New York City’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have followed Behn throughout her campaign. She herself has drawn parallels between her message and Mamdani’s focus on working families, emphasizing the need to address affordability in Tennessee.
Her Republican opponent has seized on these discrepancies, arguing that Behn’s policies would exacerbate the financial pressures on Tennesseans. He pledges to prioritize tax cuts and cost reduction, positioning himself as a champion of working families seeking economic relief.
