TENNESSEE — The Congressional Black Caucus PAC endorsed Rep. Vincent Dixie in his campaign for Tennessee’s Seventh Congressional District on July 20, 2026. The endorsement marks the first formal backing of a Tennessee candidate in a U.S. House race by the group since 2018.

Dixie is a state representative who has lived in Tennessee his entire life. He is also an entrepreneur and was the catalyst for the suspension of Tennessee’s grocery sales tax. The Seventh Congressional District Democratic Primary is scheduled for August 6, 2026.

Mike Van Epps is the Republican candidate in Tennessee’s Seventh Congressional District. The redrawing of the district shifted its composition to include 42 percent Black voters, up from 35 percent in the previous configuration, according to U.S. Census Bureau projections.

"Vincent Dixie understands what is at stake in this moment," said CBCPAC Chairman Rep. Gregory Meeks. Meeks stated that the endorsement reflects the importance of the race for the district's future representation.

Dixie responded to the announcement by expressing gratitude for the organizational support. "I am proud to have the support of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC in this critical race," said Representative Vincent Dixie. He noted that the backing would aid in mobilizing voters across the newly configured district.

The district's current boundaries resulted from a redistricting plan that split Memphis into three congressional districts. Dixie stated in July 2026 that the map dilutes Black voting power and fractures Democratic representation. His 2026 campaign emphasizes mobilizing voters aged 18 to 25, a demographic that comprises 14 percent of the district's registered voters per Tennessee Secretary of State data.

Dixie previously ran for this seat in a 2025 special election. Aftyn Behn won that contest with 8,653 votes, defeating Dixie, who received 7,153 votes, according to Ballotpedia. The state representative has also focused on education and health policy during his tenure.

His Science English and Mathematics Advanced Course Work Act led to a 22 percent increase in AP course enrollment among Black boys in Tennessee public schools by 2022. Tennessee's Medicaid program altered its policy in 2023 to expand access to glucose monitoring devices for diabetes patients following his legislative efforts.