Emily Gregory wins Florida House seat repping Trump

Democratic candidate Emily Gregory is expected to win a special election Tuesday evening for the Florida State House seat representing the Palm Beach County district whose residents include President Donald Trump.

Gregory’s expected victory over 43-year-old Republican Jon Maples, who is backed by Trump, would take the 87th District seat out of GOP control.

The area includes Trump’s club, Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, where he resides.

Gregory’s expected victory was quickly touted by Democrats as another warning sign to Republicans for this fall’s midterm elections. Since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, nearly 30 Republican candidates have lost to Democrats in state legislative elections, stripping them of control of those seats.

“If the Democrats can win in Trump’s backyard, we can certainly win anywhere in the country. Come November!” Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said the following in his post on social media site X.

“Mar-a-Lago just flipped from red to blue, which should have Republicans sweating it out in the midterms,” ​​Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Chair Heather Williams said in a statement. he said.

“Trump’s own backyard +11 district shouldn’t be played by Democrats, but tonight proves Republicans are vulnerable everywhere,” Williams said. “Gas prices are rising, grocery prices are rising, and families aren’t making ends meet; it’s clear that voters at the polls are fed up with Republicans.”

“If Mar-a-Lago is vulnerable, imagine what is possible this November,” he said. “Democrats are clearly on the offensive as they prepare for their most comprehensive midterm strategy yet with 650 seats. 2026 will be an election for the history books.”

Gregory, a 40-year-old small business owner, had not run for elected office before this year.

The special election was held to fill the seat previously held by Republican Mike Caruso, who resigned in August to become Palm Beach County clerk.

Caruso, who won the 87th District by nearly 20 percentage points in the 2024 election, was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who unsuccessfully sought the 2024 GOP presidential nomination won by Trump.

Trump praised Maples at an event in Florida on Saturday and called the candidate to the stage.

“I am honored that the voters of the 87th District have placed their trust in me,” Gregory, 40, said in a statement Tuesday night.

“Tonight’s outcome sends a clear message that people want Florida to move in a new direction where leaders are focused on reducing costs and supporting working families,” Gregory said.

“Floridians are being squeezed by rising housing costs, insurance rates and everyday expenses, and that’s always been the goal of this campaign: to make Florida more affordable and make our state work for the people who live here,” he said.