Democrat Emily Gregory Will Flip Deep-Red Florida House District Including Mar-a-Lago, CNN Projects Democrat Emily Gregory is projected to win a special election for Florida’s state House, securing a seat in a district that includes President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, according to CNN’s Decision Desk. The victory marks another special election win for Democrats, adding to a wave of recent successes for the party. The race, held in a historically Republican district, saw Gregory defeat Republican Jon Maples by nearly 800 votes. The district, which has long been a stronghold for Republicans, has been vacant since August 2025, when former Rep. Mike Caruso left to become Palm Beach County clerk. Trump had previously won the district by 11 points in the 2024 presidential election. Gregory, a first-time candidate and business owner, emphasized issues like affordability and rising costs during her campaign, framing her message around the struggles of Florida families. Gregory’s victory comes amid a broader trend of Democratic gains in special elections. Since the start of 2026, Democrats have flipped seats in Arkansas, New Hampshire, and Texas, including a state Senate district that had supported Trump by 17 points in 2024. The win in Florida’s District 87 is seen as a significant step for the party in a state where Republicans typically dominate. Trump’s endorsement of Maples in January added political weight to the race, though Gregory downplayed its impact. In an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, she stated that her focus remained on local issues rather than Trump’s influence. “Everyone is feeling that affordability crisis,” she said, noting that high gas prices and economic strain were central to her campaign.#donald_trump #mar_a_lago #palm_beach_county #democrat_emily_gregory #republican_jon_maples
