In a surprising win for Democrats in a traditionally red district, Emily Gregory, a business owner and military spouse, triumphed in a special election for Florida’s 87th state House district.
Gregory’s victory, which came in a district that includes President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, marks another win for Democrats in a year that has already seen several notable special election successes. Gregory defeated Republican Jon Maples, who had been endorsed by Trump, in a race that highlights growing Democratic momentum in traditionally conservative areas.
Content Overview
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Election Results | Emily Gregory’s victory and the margin by which she won. |
| Gregory’s Campaign Focus | The issues Gregory focused on during the campaign, including affordability. |
| Trump’s Influence | Trump’s endorsement of Maples and its impact on the election. |
| Democratic Momentum in Special Elections | How Gregory’s win fits into broader trends in special elections. |
Election Results
Emily Gregory won the special election for District 87 in Palm Beach, defeating Republican Jon Maples by a margin of just under 800 votes. This district, which includes Mar-a-Lago, had been vacant since August 2025 when Republican Mike Caruso left the seat to become the Palm Beach County Clerk. Trump won the district by 11 points in the 2024 presidential election, but Gregory’s victory adds another special election win to the growing list of Democratic successes.
In a statement after her win, Gregory expressed pride in her community and emphasized that the victory came despite the odds. “When we started this, nobody thought it was possible. They thought we were crazy,” Gregory told supporters. “I knew my community. I knew we deserved better.”
Gregory’s Campaign Focus
While Donald Trump’s presence in the district loomed large, Gregory’s campaign focused primarily on issues affecting Florida families. Gregory highlighted the affordability crisis and issues like rising gas prices, which resonated with voters struggling with the cost of living. She said, “The last thing that Florida families needed when they’re struggling is $4 gas,” making it clear that her priority was addressing economic concerns rather than focusing on Trump’s influence.
Gregory also emphasized that while Trump’s endorsement of Maples was significant, her campaign centered on the needs of District 87 residents. “I would be happy to have a conversation [with Trump],” she said, but added that all 180,000 residents in the district were her priority if elected.
Trump’s Influence
Though Jon Maples received Trump’s endorsement in January, it did not appear to have the same impact as expected. Some voters, including a Republican voter, were unaware of the endorsement, and others seemed indifferent to it. However, for some, Trump’s endorsement still carried weight, with Michelle Hall, a Maples supporter, stating, “Anything Donald does, I do.”
Interestingly, Trump voted by mail in the special election, despite having publicly criticized mail-in voting and supported the SAVE America Act, which seeks to end no-excuse mail-in voting. This contradiction raised questions among some voters, including Hall, who remarked, “If he’s against something, why are you doing it?”
The White House responded by explaining that Trump’s mail-in voting was consistent with his voter ID bill, which includes exceptions for illness, disability, and military service.
Democratic Momentum in Special Elections
Gregory’s win is part of a larger trend of Democratic successes in special elections. The victory in Palm Beach adds to the string of recent wins for Democrats in Arkansas, New Hampshire, and Texas, where Democrats flipped a state Senate seat in a district that had voted for Trump by 17 points in 2024. These special elections often feature lower turnout, which places a premium on voter enthusiasm—a factor that has worked in favor of Democrats in recent races.
Last fall, Democrats flipped over 20 state legislative seats, signaling growing support for the party in districts that were once considered safe Republican strongholds.
Emily Gregory’s victory in the special election for District 87 is a significant win for Democrats in a traditionally Republican area. Her campaign focused on affordability and the needs of local families, and her win, despite Trump’s endorsement of her opponent, demonstrates a shift in political dynamics in Florida. As the Democratic Party gains momentum in special elections across the country, Gregory’s success stands as a promising sign for future races.
