Aftyn Behn, the Democrat hopeful for Congress in Tennessee, deleted a radical social media post calling on all white people to get behind abolishing prisons.
“On this Juneteenth, we need less white folks posting Canva graphics and more adopting prison abolition as a political foundation,” Behn, a white woman, said in a deleted post just over a year ago, that is now archived on the Wayback Machine. The post also recommended four books that “enhanced” her “political education.”
Behn is running against Republican Matt Van Epps in a deep red district to replace Mark Green, a congressman who resigned earlier this year. Democrats have spent a hefty amount of money and resources to try and drive turnout among Democrats, hoping to pull an upset in a low-turnout contest.
It was not, however, her only time advocating for the radical policy, which has been embraced by many advocates of so-called “social justice.” In an August 2024 article in The Tennessean, Behn disclosed the same stance on prisons.
“No, I do not agree with these ‘tough-on-crime’ policies,” she told the publication at the time. “As a legislator who believes in prison abolition, I am committed to addressing the root causes of crime rather than implementing punitive measures that often perpetuate a cycle of harm.”
Behn’s campaign did not respond to The Daily Wire’s request for comment. The Democrat has taken other controversial stances on crime, including being one of the handful of lawmakers who voted against the death penalty for those convicted of raping a minor, according to WKRN. Behn raised concerns that if a child was aware that the consequence of the crime for the abuser was the death penalty, it might prevent the minor from reporting the crime.
“You can read testimonies again and again across this state, but the state intervening to kill a human being does nothing to deter the crime,” Behn said on the state House floor in April 2024 while debating the legislation with Republican Rep. William Lamberth.
The Democrat has also faced scrutiny over a 2020 post in which she praised people who support burning down police stations.
“Good morning, especially to the 54% of Americans that believe burning down a police station is justified,” Behn posted.
Behn declined to respond, saying instead, “I’m not gonna engage in cable news talking points.”
The Daily Wire reported on her past comments on abortion as well, saying she would be willing to get arrested for her advocacy on the issue.
“We’ll continue to figure out how to get abortion pills to people. So the organizing does not stop just because Roe is overturned,” Behn said in a May 2022 conversation with the Tennessee Holler.
Another podcast clip from 2020 of her went viral, in which she said that she hates Nashville.
“I hate the city, I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music, I hate all of the things that make Nashville apparently an ‘it’ city to the rest of the country. But I hate it,” she said.
Despite her radical positions, she has won the support of prominent Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.
President Donald Trump has also waded into the race, endorsing Van Epps.
“I am asking all America First Patriots in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, who haven’t voted yet, to please GET OUT AND VOTE for MAGA Warrior Matt Van Epps, tomorrow, November 26th, the last day to vote early in person. You can win this Election for Matt! PLEASE VOTE FOR MATT VAN EPPS, who has my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Trump posted on Tuesday night.
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