State Watch

Democrats flip Florida state House district that includes Trump’s Mar-a-Lago

by Caroline Vakil - 03/24/26 7:41 PM ET

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Democrats delivered a blow to Florida Republicans and flipped a state House seat in President Trump’s backyard, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Democrat Emily Gregory, a health fitness small business owner, defeated Trump-backed Republican Jon Maples, a financial adviser, in a race for the open Florida District 87 state House seat, which includes part of Palm Beach County and the president’s Mar-a-Lago resort.

As of 8 p.m. Tuesday, Gregory garnered just more than 51 percent of the vote, while Maples had just less than 49 percent backing with more than 95 percent of the vote in.

Gregory and Maples faced off in the contest after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) tapped Republican Mike Caruso in August to become the county clerk and comptroller. Trump voted by mail in Tuesday’s election.

Although Caruso last won the seat by double digits and Trump won the district by roughly 9 percentage points in 2024, former Vice President Kamala Harris did win Palm Beach County by less than a point in the last presidential election. The district is shared by Reps. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.) and Brian Mast (R-Fla.) in Congress.

National groups and figures waded into the race before the special election, including Trump. Rep. Byron Donalds (R), a candidate for Florida governor, appeared alongside Maples during the campaign, while Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) also backed the financial adviser.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) backed Gregory, and retired Lt. Col. Alex Vindman — a candidate for Senate in the Sunshine State — held a virtual fundraiser for Gregory while Frankel endorsed the Democratic candidate.

DLCC Chair Heather Williams applauded Gregory’s win in a Tuesday social media post.

“Mar-a-Lago’s state House district just flipped from red to blue, which should have Republicans worried about their chances this November,” she said. “A Trump +11 district in his own backyard shouldn’t be in play for Democrats, but tonight proves Republicans are vulnerable everywhere.”

This isn’t the first win for Florida Democrats in the last few months. In December, Florida Democrats notched a win when Democrat Eileen Higgins beat Republican Emilio Gonzalez to become the first Democratic Miami mayor in decades.

Sophia Vento contributed to this report. Updated at 7:54 p.m. EDT

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