Overview
- Emily Gregory won Tuesday’s special election in Florida House District 87 with about 51% of the vote, defeating Trump‑backed Jon Maples by roughly 797 votes, according to the Associated Press.
- The coastal Palm Beach district includes President Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago residence, turning his home turf blue after the area backed him by roughly 11 points in 2024.
- Public records show Trump cast a mail‑in ballot after urging supporters to vote for Maples on his social platform.
- Gregory, a first‑time candidate and small‑business owner, ran on affordability concerns such as property insurance, housing costs, healthcare access, and support for public schools.
- Democrats framed the flip as part of a recent run of special‑election gains, while Republicans downplayed it as a low‑turnout contest and noted the GOP supermajority in Florida’s Legislature remains intact.