BREAKING: Winner Declared In Pivotal House Special Election

Shortly before 9 p.m. Eastern Time, Cook Political Report senior analyst Dave Wasserman projected that Republican candidate Matt Van Epps had clinched the race. Decision Desk HQ followed up with a race call in favor of Van Epps at 9:06 Eastern Time.

Van Epps emerged victorious over Aftyn Behn, a progressive candidate who managed to emerge victorious in a crowded primary field thanks to backing from senior Democrat leaders like former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Behn faced intense criticism over some of her far-left policy positions throughout the race, including “defund the police” stances, strict gun control and universal access to “gender affirming care” for minors. The Democrat often tried to pivot away from her views during the campaign, as she refused to answer questions on her “defund the police” views in multiple interviews.