What does Tennessee's 7th Congressional District election mean for Republicans and Democrats as they prepare for the midterm election?

Tennessee

A special election is underway in Tennessee's seventh congressional district, a traditionally Republican stronghold where Donald Trump previously secured 60 percent of the vote. Democratic candidate Afton Bain is aiming to capitalize on growing discontent among Republican voters over issues such as the cost of living, tariffs, and recent controversies involving the Trump administration.

Republican candidate Matt Van Epst is emphasizing his military background and alignment with MAGA values, while Democrats hope that increased enthusiasm and turnout could narrow the usual Republican margin. The election was triggered by the early resignation of the district's Republican congressman, and both parties are closely watching turnout as a key factor in the outcome.

Democrats hope for off-year house upset in Tennessee special election

I'm Afton Bain. We all know the system is rigged in Washington. Democrat Afton Bain says she hopes to win Tennessee's seventh congressional district seat in the House of Representatives, even though in the presidential election, Donald Trump won 60 percent of the vote here. And in Congress, I'll work for you, not the rich donors or special interests. The polls show a lot has changed over the last year, discontent among the Trump faithful about a range of issues, from the cost of living, tariffs and foreign policy to the administration's botched release of files relating to well-connected, convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein mean that Republicans are struggling with an enthusiasm gap among their base. Now I'm on a new mission. Republican candidate Matt Van Epst's pitch is that his experience as a military helicopter pilot makes him a MAGA warrior in contrast to his opponent. And Donald Trump has called Afton Bain a woman who hates Christianity, will take away your guns, wants open borders and openly disdains country music. Under normal circumstances, this would not be competitive. I mean, this was a district that Trump carried by over 20 percent. And it's about turnout and about enthusiasm. And the Democratic candidate has managed to generate the latter. The special election was called after the district's Republican congressmen stepped down early, and Democrats are aware that the odds are still against them. But even a narrow loss by the Democrats, with the Republicans' margin of victory reduced to the single digits, will still be of comfort to a party that itself has historically low approval ratings. Tuesday's results will depend on turnout. For Republicans, the problem is getting a disillusioned base out to the polls without Donald Trump at the top of the ticket. Just at the very moment, Democrats and some independents are fired up to lodge a protest vote. And the Republicans know this is a phenomenon they could face in next year's midterm elections for control of Congress, without a rapid upward shift in Donald Trump's approval ratings in the coming months. Shia Bertansi, Al Jazeera.

The New York Times has sued the U.S. Defence Department and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in an effort to force the Pentagon to abandon its restrictive new press policy. The Times alleges that the policy, rejected by at least 30 news organizations, violates its rights to free speech and due process.

New York

New York Times sues Pentagon, Hegseth over press restrictions

President Trump weighed in on Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting with his envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio has more.

Moscow

Ukraine Invasion

Trump insists Putin wants to end Ukraine war after Witkoff's trip

Democrats have released never-before-seen images in the Jeffrey Epstein case. They were taken at his private island estate. It comes as the Trump administration faces a deadline to release the full Epstein case files in two weeks.

Newly released images and videos show Epstein's private island estate

Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, more than five times more than the United States.

Caracas

Maduro accuses U.S. of pushing for regime change to get Venezuela’s oil

Australia starts enforcing a landmark ban requiring social media platforms to take down accounts belonging to under-16s

Canberra

Australia under-16s social media accounts to be taken down

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Brussels

EU agrees deal to ban Russian gas by end of 2027

President Trump pardoned Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife on Wednesday. The couple was indicted in 2024 on more than a dozen federal charges. Cuellar has denied any wrongdoing.

Washington

Trump pardons Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife

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Watchdog found Hegseth jeopardized sensitive military information

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Never-before-seen images of Jeffrey Epstein's island released

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Los Angeles

Doctor who sold Matthew Perry ketamine sentenced to 30 months in prison

Google subsidiary YouTube has criticized an Australian law banning social media accounts for under-16s, arguing the legislation set to start Dec 10 makes young users of Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube less safe.

YouTube attacks Australia's underage social media ban

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U.S. envoys Kushner, Witkoff leave Kremlin without Ukraine deal

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Trump targets Somali immigrants amid reports of Minneapolis raids

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Russian tanker attacked off Turkey, Putin warns of retaliation

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Republican comfortably beats Democratic challenger after polls showed candidates in a close race in US state.

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Trump threatens to expand strikes beyond Venezuela

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OpenAI has declared a "code red" as Google threatens to unseat the AI industry's early leader, according to the Wall Street Journal. Technology journalist Jacob Ward joins CBS News to discuss.

California

OpenAI declares 'code red' as Google threatens its AI lead

Russian President Vladimir Putin met U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner in the Kremlin on Tuesday (December 2) for talks on a possible way to end the deadliest European conflict since World War Two.

Putin meets Trump envoys Witkoff, Kushner for Ukraine peace talks

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Hegseth defends boat strikes near Venezuela during Cabinet meeting

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Pokrovsk

Russia claims control of Pokrovsk

Major rescue and recovery efforts are underway across Southeast Asia after a series of severe storms battered the region displacing millions and killing more than 1,100 people.

Nuwara Eliya

Severe storms batter Southeast Asia, displacing millions

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Tegucigalpa

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Airbus must inspect hundreds of its A320 jets for potential quality flaws in the plane's body as a total of 628 aircraft contain panels that may be too thick or too thin due to a manufacturing issue at a supplier.

Blagnac

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Damascus

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Monday is World AIDS Day. It has been recognized globally since 1988, but this year, the U.S. government is not commemorating it for the first time.

U.S. not recognizing World AIDS Day this year

Operation "Swamp Sweep," a monthslong immigration crackdown centered in New Orleans, is set to begin Monday. CBS News national reporter Kati Weis has the details.

New Orleans

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Luigi Mangione, the man charged with murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was in a New York City courtroom on Monday for a pre-trial hearing focused on what evidence the jury will see. CBS News' Anna Schecter has the details.

Breakdown