Democrat Emily Gregory Flips Florida Seat That Includes Mar-a-Lago
Emily Gregory won a Florida special election, flipping a district that includes President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago and signaling Democratic momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms.
CNBCDemocrat Emily Gregory projected to win Florida House seat representing Trump, Mar-a-Lago
ABC NewsDemocrat flips seat in special election for Florida district
Political WireFlorida Democrats Flip Another Legislative Seat
CBS NewsDemocrat flips Florida state House seat in district that includes Mar-a-Lago, defeating Trump-backed GOP rival
Overview
Democrat Emily Gregory won a Florida special election on Tuesday, flipping state House District 87 that includes Mar-a-Lago, the Palm Beach estate President Donald Trump counts as his residence.
The seat had been vacant after Republican Mike Caruso resigned in August to become Palm Beach County clerk, and President Trump had endorsed Republican Jon Maples and urged supporters to vote.
Democrats hailed the victory as a warning sign for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with Heather Williams and Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin celebrating the flip and Gregory promising to focus on lowering costs.
With almost all votes counted, Gregory led by about 797 votes (roughly 2.4 percentage points), with other reports showing 51.2%–48.8% or 51%–49%; Democrats said the win was among roughly 10 to 29 GOP-held state legislative seats flipped since January 2025.
Gregory, a first-time candidate and small business owner, is expected to seek a full two-year term in November, and other Florida special races included a Tampa-area state Senate contest that was too close to call.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the flip as a symbolic rebuke to Trump and evidence of Democratic momentum, using selective context and emphasis. Editorial choices—leading with Mar-a-Lago ties, citing national special-election trends, and highlighting a Democratic chair’s triumphalist quote—shape the narrative, while direct quotes (e.g., Fried’s statement) remain source content.
FAQ
Emily Gregory is a small business owner, public health professional, and Army spouse with a background in mental health and state government[3]. She holds a BS in Health and Exercise Science from Wake Forest University and a Master's of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from Columbia University[3]. For the past seven years, she has owned and led FIT4MOM Palm Beach, a fitness community for pregnant and postpartum women[3]. As a mother of three from the Treasure Coast, she brings personal experience with the challenges facing Florida families[3].
The seat opened when Governor Ron DeSantis appointed former Republican Representative Mike Caruso to serve as Palm Beach County clerk in August 2025[5]. This vacancy led to the special election held on March 24, 2026[5].
Gregory prioritizes lowering costs for Florida families, affordable healthcare, childcare support, and strengthening schools and neighborhoods[4]. Her campaign emphasizes common-sense leadership on issues affecting working families and vulnerable communities, drawing from her professional experience in public health and mental health services.
This victory signals Democratic momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms, with Democrats celebrating it as a warning sign for Republicans[2]. The win represents one of approximately 10 to 29 GOP-held state legislative seats flipped since January 2025[2]. Democrats need to flip 8 seats in the Florida House and 3 in the Senate to break Republican supermajorities[2], making this special election an important early indicator of potential gains in the midterm elections.
Gregory is expected to seek a full two-year term in the November 2026 elections[1]. Additionally, the timing of the special election allows her to take office in time for an upcoming special legislative session focused on redistricting, where lawmakers will have four days to redraw congressional district boundaries[1].
