Has Democratic Congressional Nominee Aftyn Behn done herself irreparable harm?

Then five-year-old comments from Nashville Democratic candidate Aftin Bayh resurfaced. Speaking on her “Year Old Grits” podcast, Behn talked about what’s going on in her life.

She said, “I’ve been heavily involved in the Nashville mayor’s race because I hate this city, I hate the Bachelor, I hate country music. I hate all the things that make Nashville apparently the “IT City” to the rest of the country. But I hate it. I’m the girl at the airport — while all these girls are giddy and freaking out in their two-tone colored Pantone pink shirts, and they’re OMG. Like Nashville – and very loudly. So anyway, I’ve been heavily involved in the Nashville mayoral race, I’m sure relationships will be made and broken on this.”

Fox 17 News anchor Scott Couch hosts a political roundtable Nashville in Focus with a panel of guests to discuss Music City’s biggest topics. (Photo: Fox 17 News)

Behn and her camp rejected the comments, suggesting Republicans were bringing it up just because she was gaining on GOP nominee Matt Van Eps, Tennessee’s former General Services commissioner. Van Epps, a U.S. Army veteran with combat experience, has the “complete and total” endorsement of President Donald Trump, who enjoys strong support throughout the Volunteer State.

The question is, will those comments change people’s minds about who they prefer in this race? It remains to be seen.

What it may do, however, is provide an incentive for those who support Van Epps to turn out and vote on the day the race is the only one on the ballot.

FOX 17 News spoke to some Democratic voters at an early voting site last week. They were divided on Behn’s comments. One said he believed the comments were taken out of context and that he had not changed his mind about supporting Behn. However, others suggested that Behn should apologize daily and said that if he could do so, he would withdraw his vote for her.

The district was drawn by the Republican-controlled legislature, and winning it was going to be a huge challenge for Behn or any Democrat.

Ultimately, voters will decide how much weight to give to Aftin Behn’s comments and whether she really “hates” Nashville.

Watch the full segment on Nashville in Focus above.