Matt Van Epps addresses Cheatham County Commission public forum as U.S. House candidate

Matt Van Epps, a candidate for U.S. House to succeed Mark Green, spoke at the Cheatham County Commission public forum on Aug. 18, 2025, and outlined his military service, public-sector experience and family background.

Van Epps said he is a West Point graduate and a combat veteran who served as an Army Apache helicopter pilot and with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell. "I flew Apache attack helicopters, deployed to Iraq for 12 months… I deployed eight times to Afghanistan," he said, summarizing his record and describing his motivation to run as rooted in "faith, family, and freedom." He also noted service in the Tennessee Army National Guard and prior work as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, where he said he led a team of about 400.

Van Epps said he is "an America first conservative" and expressed support for the president and the Speaker of the House. He closed by asking for support and directing listeners to his campaign website, mattfortn.com.

The remarks were delivered during the meeting’s public forum; they were not on the commission’s agenda and did not prompt formal action by the commission.