Aftyn Behn

Aftyn Behn is an American politician from Tennessee. She is a Democrat and is the representative for District 51 in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Aftyn Behn
Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
from the 51st district
Assumed office
October 4, 2023
Preceded byAnthony Davis
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Texas at Austin

Early life and education

Behn attended the Webb School of Knoxville, and studied at the University of Texas at Austin.[1][2]

Career

Political activism

In 2017, Behn began working for the Tennessee Justice Center as their healthcare community organizer.[3] She was removed from the Tennessee House of Representatives visitor's gallery in 2019 after interrupting a legislative session to protest the speakership of Glen Casada.[4] Behn opposed the 2023 Tennessee House of Representatives expulsions, and accused House Republicans of white nationalism and authoritarianism.[5]

Tennessee House of Representatives

In 2023, after the death of five-term State Representative Bill Beck, Behn campaigned in a special election for the Tennessee House of Representatives 51st district. She was supported by Representative Gloria Johnson and Middle Tennessee Democratic Socialists of America.[6] The Nashville Metro Council appointed former councilmember Anthony Davis to serve as interim representative until the special election in September.[7] Behn defeated Davis in the August 3 primary with 53.46% of the vote.[8] She won the general election with 75.61% of the vote.[9]

References
  1. "Text me briefs: Apr. 15". Knoxville News Sentinel. Gannett. April 15, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  2. "Aftyn Behn". The Forge. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  3. "About Aftyn". Aftyn Behn for State Representative. Committee to Elect Aftyn Behn. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  4. Horan, Kyle (May 2, 2019). "Woman removed from house chamber for outburst at Speaker". WTVF. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  5. Aftyn Behn [@AftynBehn] (April 3, 2023). "The GOP tore apart our congressional district, they're trying to dissolve Nashville, and now they're trying to silence our leaders who are standing up to white nationalism and authoritarianism in the TN legislature. SHOW UP TODAY AT 5 PM TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR OUR ELECTEDS" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. "Primary School 8/3". August 3, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  7. Rau, Nate (June 21, 2023). "Nashville council appoint Anthony Davis to state House". Axios. Cox Enterprises. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  8. Brown, Melissa (August 3, 2023). "Progressive organizer Aftyn Behn edges out interim Rep. Anthony Davis in House 51 primary". The Tennessean. Gannett. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  9. Posey, Sebastian (September 14, 2023). "Nashville, Tennessee Runoff Election Results: September 14, 2023". WKRN. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
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