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Tennessee Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn has gained sudden viral attention due to resurfaced footage from a 2019 incident where she was forcibly removed from Governor Bill Lee’s office during a protest. The video shows Behn, then working as a political organizer, being physically removed by officers after attempting to participate in a sit-in at the governor’s office.
The incident occurred before Behn entered elected office in 2023, when she won a special election for Tennessee’s District 51 seat. Prior to her legislative career, Behn worked as an activist with several progressive organizations, including Indivisible, Enough Is Enough Tennessee, and the Tennessee Justice Center.
According to News Channel 5 Nashville, the 2019 sit-in was organized to pressure Governor Lee to demand the resignation of a state representative who had been accused of sexual assault, though not formally charged. The viral video shows Behn skating past officers to enter the office before being physically removed, with what appears to be her wailing in distress during the removal.
A follow-up post from local news outlet The Tennessee Holler showed Behn continuing her protest the next day, lying with a blanket and pillow outside the governor’s office while visibly upset. The caption described her as weeping “after being roughly tossed out of Governor Bill Lee’s office by troopers.”
The resurfaced footage comes at a critical time for Behn, who faces a special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District on Tuesday. Her campaign did not respond to requests for comment on the viral video.
Republican National Committee spokesperson Delanie Bomar seized on the video as evidence that Behn is “wildly unfit for office,” connecting it to other controversial statements Behn has made in the past. Bomar referenced previous comments where Behn allegedly expressed hatred for Nashville and advocated for burning down police stations.
Indeed, Behn has faced multiple controversies during her campaign, including a resurfaced podcast clip where she said she “hated” Nashville, the very city she hopes to represent. She has also faced criticism for past statements calling to “dissolve” police departments and comments that appeared to justify violent protests.
When questioned about these positions during a recent interview on the “Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar” podcast, Behn deflected, claiming her comments about Nashville were “obviously taken out of context” and “obviously hyperbolic.” She suggested the attacks were evidence that Republicans feel threatened by her candidacy.
“I do not hate country music. I was conceived after a George Strait concert,” Behn quipped during the interview, attempting to lighten the criticism. She added that her comments were from an old podcast called “G.R.I.T.S. – Girls Raised In The South” where she was “lamenting about, you know, the things that are wrong with our city.”
Behn defended her commitment to the district by stating she has spent “the past decade” of her life “pouring blood, sweat and tears into my city and my state to make it better for working people.”
Her claims of supporting working-class interests have also come under scrutiny. In 2024, Behn voted against a bill that would have provided $400 million in tax cuts for Tennessee small businesses, with potential refunds of up to $1.5 billion. She also opposed Republicans’ H.R. 1, which extended Trump-era tax cuts that could have saved taxpayers in her district nearly $4,000, according to economic analyses.
Additionally, Behn voted against a statewide budget bill earlier in 2025 that would have increased the state’s rainy day fund while allocating millions for volunteer fire departments, senior centers, emergency medical services, teacher bonuses, and public safety funding.
As Tuesday’s special election approaches, these controversies have intensified the race for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, with Behn facing Republican candidate Matt Van Epps.
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14 Comments
This is a complex situation that highlights the tensions between grassroots activism and the political process. While the removal of the candidate from the governor’s office may have been legally justified, the optics of the incident could resonate with some voters who sympathize with the activist causes she has championed.
It will be important for the candidate to address this incident transparently and in the context of her overall policy platform and vision for the district.
Protests and civil disobedience can be powerful tools for driving social and political change, but they must be balanced against the need for order and the rule of law. This incident raises important questions about the boundaries of acceptable protest and the appropriate use of force by authorities.
Ultimately, voters will need to weigh the candidate’s overall qualifications and platform against this specific incident to determine if she is the right choice to represent the district.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between activism and the political process. While the use of force against a political candidate is concerning, it’s important to understand the specific details and motivations behind the event. Voters should carefully weigh this incident alongside the candidate’s overall qualifications and platform.
It will be interesting to see how the candidate addresses this incident and how it is perceived by the electorate in the lead-up to the election.
The viral video of the Democratic candidate’s removal from the governor’s office is certainly a newsworthy event, but it’s crucial to avoid rushing to judgment without fully understanding the context and circumstances. Voters should examine the candidate’s record, policy positions, and overall qualifications to make an informed decision.
The viral video of the Democratic candidate’s forcible removal from the governor’s office during a protest is certainly a noteworthy incident. It raises questions about the balance between civil disobedience and the authority of government officials. I’m curious to learn more about the context and motivations behind this event.
It will be interesting to see how this incident is viewed by voters, especially in the context of the candidate’s broader political and activist background.
This incident raises important questions about the boundaries of protest and the appropriate use of force by authorities. While the video may be attention-grabbing, voters should carefully consider the candidate’s overall platform and background to determine if she is the right choice to represent the district.
It will be interesting to see how the candidate and her campaign address this incident and whether it has a significant impact on the election outcome.
The viral video of the Democratic candidate’s removal from the governor’s office is certainly attention-grabbing, but it’s important to examine the full context and circumstances before drawing conclusions. Voters should look at the candidate’s broader record and policy positions to make an informed decision.
The use of force against a political candidate, even in the context of a protest, is always concerning. However, it’s important to understand the full circumstances and the actions of all parties involved before rushing to judgment. Voters should carefully examine the candidate’s record and positions to make an informed decision.
The viral video of the Democratic candidate’s removal from the governor’s office is certainly a noteworthy event, but it’s crucial to examine the full context and circumstances before drawing conclusions. Voters should look at the candidate’s broader record, policy positions, and qualifications to make an informed decision.