TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Democrat Emily Gregory on Tuesday swept the Florida legislative seat that includes President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home and defeated a Trump-backed GOP state House candidate.
Gregory’s victory would not change the Republican supermajority’s overall control of the Florida Legislature. But his victory in the Palm Beach County election would certainly give Democrats a much-needed jolt after years of GOP dominance in the Sunshine State and even Gov. Ron DeSantis’ joke that the state party was practically dead.
Gregory, a first-time candidate with a background in public health and mental health administration who now runs a fitness center for postpartum moms, defeated John Maples, a financial planner who previously held a seat on the local council.
In 2024, the GOP incumbent – then-State Representative Mike Caruso – won House District 87 by 19 points.
Democrats poured money into House races and organized, and the campaign focused on affordability and taxes. The contest became bitter in the closing days, with supporters of both sides criticizing their opponents in mailers and text messages.
The victory continues a series of blue special election victories and outperformance in Florida as Trump easily won the state in 2024.
Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried said, “This victory reiterates an undeniable trend in Florida: With year-long organizing and infrastructure investment, Democrats can run and win anywhere, including Donald Trump’s backyard.” “Floridians are tired of lawlessness, corruption and skyrocketing prices on everything from groceries to gas to health care.”
State election records show that Trump, as well as first lady Melania Trump and Trump’s son Barron, all voted by mail in the House District 87 election. Trump requested his mail-in ballot on March 14, just days after he insisted that the Save America Act include limits on mail-in voting. Trump called voting by mail “mail-in fraud” during a stop in Memphis on Monday.
Republicans and Democrats also battled for two other seats in the Florida Legislature on Tuesday, including the state Senate seat in Tampa, held by Lt. Gov. Jay Collins. DeSantis appointed Collins last August, but he waited months before calling a special election to fill it. The Palm Beach County state House seat became vacant because he appointed the GOP lawmaker who held it to a local position.
Democrat Brian Nathan held a slight lead over former state representative Josie Tomko in the state Senate race. Tomko represented a House district in neighboring Polk County and had said she would run in the district. Her decision to give up her House seat created a vacancy there, which was filled with the election of Republican Hillary Holley on Tuesday.
