Emily Gregory Wins Special Election in Trump’s District

Emily Gregory Secures Victory in Palm Beach District

Democrat Emily Gregory is projected to win the special state House election in a Palm Beach district that notably includes President Donald Trump’s Florida home, Mar-a-Lago, as reported by CNN’s Decision Desk. This win adds to a recent trend of special election successes for Democrats across the country.

A Key Win for Democrats in Florida

Tuesday’s election presented a significant opportunity for Democrats to achieve a victory in Florida, a state where they often face challenges. The district holds considerable political weight, making Gregory’s win particularly noteworthy.

Gregory’s Campaign Focused on Local Issues

Emily Gregory, a first-time candidate, business owner, and military spouse, defeated Republican Jon Maples, a former council member who received President Trump’s endorsement in January. The campaign centered around issues impacting Florida families, particularly the rising cost of living.

Mar-a-Lago will now be represented by a Democratic trio in the Florida state House, Senate, and US House. The District 87 seat became vacant in August when former Republican Rep. Mike Caruso resigned to become the Palm Beach County clerk and comptroller. Despite Trump winning the district by 11 points in the 2024 presidential election, Gregory managed to flip the seat.

Affordability as a Key Issue

In a post-election interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, Gregory emphasized that Trump was not a focal point of her campaign. She stated her focus remained on Maples and “issues that matter most to Florida families.”

“Everyone is feeling that affordability crisis, and the last thing Florida families needed when they’re struggling is $4 gas,” Gregory explained. She expressed willingness to engage in conversation with Trump, stating, “I would be happy to have a conversation. And you know, all 180,000 residents of District 87 are my priority if I’m so lucky to serve. I will put them all with equal weight.”

Voter Reactions and Trump’s Mail-In Vote

Some voters who supported Maples were unaware of Trump’s endorsement, while others, like Michelle Hall, considered it “fabulous,” stating, “Anything Donald does, I do.”

The election also revealed a surprise: Trump himself voted by mail, despite his previous criticisms of mail-in voting and efforts to limit it through the Republican-backed SAVE America Act. This sparked confusion among some voters, like Hall, who questioned, “If he’s against something, why are you doing it?”

White House spokesperson Olivia Wales clarified that Trump’s voter ID bill includes exceptions for those with illnesses, disabilities, military service, or travel needs. She added, “As everyone knows, the President is a resident of Palm Beach and participates in Florida elections, but he obviously primarily lives at the White House in Washington, DC. This is a non-story.”

A Broader Trend of Democratic Gains

While Trump’s presence loomed large, both candidates primarily focused on affordability, an issue that proved successful for Democrats in 2025 and one that Republicans have struggled to address during Trump’s second term. Special elections often see lower turnout, making voter enthusiasm a crucial factor.

Gregory’s victory is part of a larger trend, with Democrats flipping over 20 state legislative seats in special or regularly scheduled elections last fall. This year, they’ve also flipped seats in Arkansas, New Hampshire, and Texas, including a state Senate district that Trump won by 17 points in 2024.

View official results from Tuesday’s election here

CNN’s Meridith Edwards and Ethan Cohen contributed to this report.