Why can’t they just be honest? Clearly there are ulterior motive.
Democratic Candidate Dodges Simple Police-Funding Questions
Democratic congressional candidate Aftyn Behn is facing serious backlash after repeatedly refusing to say whether she supports increased police funding—something many Americans, especially those concerned about rising crime, view as non-negotiable under President Trump’s focus on restoring law and order.
During a Monday interview on CNN, host Kasie Hunt pressed Behn over her 2020 posts calling for the dissolution of Nashville’s police department. Instead of offering clarity, Behn tried to distance herself from her own statements, calling them comments made “as a private citizen.”
But Hunt continued, asking a simple, direct question:
“Would more money for cops be good or bad?”
Behn refused to answer clearly.
Behn Falls Back on Vague “Community Investment” Talking Points
Rather than expressing support for police officers, Behn shifted toward the familiar Democratic talking points about “community safety,” “mental-health services,” and “community protection.”
While these phrases sound harmless, voters over 50 know that similar language has often been used by national Democrats to push cuts or “reallocations” away from traditional policing—especially during the 2020 “defund the police” movement.
Behn currently serves as a Democratic state representative and organizer. She is competing against Republican nominee Matt Van Epps to represent Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District—an area President Trump won comfortably in 2024.
Behn Avoids Criticizing Kamala Harris
The CNN host then asked Behn if she disagrees with any policy supported by Kamala Harris, the Democrats’ 2024 presidential nominee.
Instead of naming a single difference, Behn dodged again, saying she is “focused on talking to voters” in the final hours of the race.
After the interview, Hunt admitted she was “surprised” that Behn could not name even one policy disagreement with Harris—highlighting concerns that Behn may be more aligned with Washington Democrats than with Tennessee families struggling with inflation, security issues, and rising costs.
Behn Criticized for Anti-Nashville Comments
On top of the police-funding controversy, Behn is also under fire for comments from a resurfaced 2020 podcast in which she harshly criticized Nashville—part of the very district she wants to represent.
Behn said she “hated” the city, its culture, and even its tourism industry, which brings billions to Tennessee each year.
For many voters, especially long-time Tennessee residents, her remarks are seen as disrespectful and out of touch.
High-Stakes Special Election in Trump Country
The special election—triggered by former Republican Rep. Mark Green’s departure—is being closely watched nationwide. While the district strongly supported President Trump, Democrats hope that even a narrow loss by Behn could give them talking points heading into the 2026 midterms.
However, Behn’s refusal to stand firmly with law enforcement, her alignment with national Democratic figures, and her hostility toward Nashville may prove to be major obstacles in a district where safety, stability, and respect for local communities remain top priorities.
