Emily Gregory, a Democrat and mother of three, has secured a victory in the special election for Florida House District 87, flipping the seat that includes President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence. The win marks a shift in a traditionally Republican area.
Election Background
The seat became vacant in August after Republican Mike Caruso resigned to serve as Palm Beach County clerk and comptroller, a position appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis. Caruso had won the district by 19 percentage points in 2024, while Trump carried it by about 10 points in the presidential race.
Trump’s Endorsement and Voting Controversy
President Trump endorsed Republican candidate Jon Maples, a 40-year-old businessman, ahead of the primary in January. Trump described Maples as a “very successful Businessman and Civic Leader” who would “fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Stop Migrant Crime, Safeguard our Elections, Support our Military, Veterans, and Law Enforcement, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”
Trump participated in the election via mail-in ballot, drawing scrutiny given his past criticisms of the practice as “mail-in cheating” and “tremendous corruption.” The White House defended the decision, citing Trump’s support for the SAVE Act, which permits exceptions for illness, disability, military service, or travel. A spokesperson emphasized that the president opposes universal mail-in ballots due to fraud risks. “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, D.C. This is a non-story,” spokesperson Olivia Wales stated.
Candidate Profiles
Gregory leveraged her background in health and exercise science to build FIT4MOM Palm Beach, a business offering fitness classes for pregnant women and new mothers. She also emphasized her role as a military spouse. A prominent local publication endorsed her ahead of the election.
Maples maintained a fundraising edge and benefited from the state’s Republican voter registration advantage. Democrats questioned his district residency during the primary, noting a voter registration address linked to a Palm Beach Shores motel on January 12 and March 14. The campaign responded that Maples and his family have since relocated to a home in Jupiter, within district boundaries. Florida law requires representatives to reside in the district only at the time of swearing-in.
District Context and Democratic Momentum
House District 87 has leaned Republican, but special elections can prove unpredictable. Democrats recently celebrated a win in the nearby Boca Raton mayor’s race, where Andy Thomson became the first Democratic mayor in 45 years.
