Marianna Bacayau

Polling by Emerson College finds that only two points separate Democrat Afton Bain and Republican Matt Van Epps, with Van Epps in the lead.

The numbers are a stark contrast to just last year, when incumbent Republican Mark Green won Tennessee's 7th congressional district by 22 points.

Green's surprise retirement this summer left the seat open for newcomers in a district that has been a Republican stronghold for decades.

Trump now has a 47 percent approval rating in the district, with 49 percent disapproving of his job as president, according to the poll.

Whoever wins the election will have to run for re-election next year during the midterms.

For NPR News, I'm Marianna Bacayau in Nashville.

Tennessee's 7th congressional district has long been considered solidly Republican by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.

Newly retired U.S.

Congressman Mark Green won the district by 22 points last year.

But that rating has changed to likely Republican.

And the race is heating up between Democratic candidate Afton Bain and her Republican opponent Matt Van Epps.

Tennessee GOP Chair Scott Golden says he's focused on turnout—

especially during the holiday season.

Analysis from the Cook Political Report shows that Democratic voters may be more motivated to go to the polls on December 2nd.

For NPR News, I'm Marianna Bacayau in Nashville.