President Donald Trump arrives at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida on October 31, 2025. Trump is spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
Samuel Coram getty images
Democratic candidate Emily Gregory is projected to win a special election Tuesday evening Florida State House seat representing one palm beach county The district whose residents include President Donald Trump.
Gregory’s projected victory John Maples43-year-old Republican supported by Trump will reverse House District 87 seat from GOP control. The district includes Trump’s Palm Beach club, Mar-a-Lago, where he has a residence.
With more than 95% of the votes counted as of 9 a.m. ET, Gregory was leading Maples, 51.2% to 48.8%.
Gregory’s expected victory was immediately cast by Democrats as another warning sign to Republicans for the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
Since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, 29 seats in state legislatures across the country have been snatched from Republican control by Democratic candidates.
“If Democrats can win in Trump’s backyard, we’re sure they can win everywhere across the country. From November forward!” Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said in a post on the social media site X.
“Mar-a-Lago has gone from red to blue, which should make Republicans sweat the midterms,” Heather Williams, chair of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said in a statement.
Williams said, “A Trump +11 district in his own backyard shouldn’t happen for Democrats, but tonight proves that Republicans everywhere are vulnerable.” “Gas prices are rising, grocery prices are up, and families can’t make ends meet – it’s clear that voters are fed up with Republicans at the polls.”
“If Mar-a-Lago is unsafe, imagine what’s possible this November,” he said. “Democrats are clearly on the offensive as we prepare for the most comprehensive midterm strategy ever with 650 seats. 2026 is an election for the history books.”
Gregory, a 40-year-old small business owner, had not sought elected office before this year. She is expected to run for a full two-year term in November.
The special election was held to fill the seat previously held by Republican Mike Caruso, who resigned in August to become Palm Beach County Clerk.
Caruso, who won District 87 by nearly 20 percentage points in the 2024 election, was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, who unsuccessfully sought the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, which Trump won.
Trump praised Maples by calling the candidate on stage at an event in Florida on Saturday.
“I am honored that the voters of District 87 have their trust in me,” Gregory said in a statement Tuesday night.
“Tonight’s result sends a clear message that people want to take Florida in a new direction where leaders focus on reducing costs and standing up for working families,” Gregory said.
“Rising housing costs, insurance rates and everyday expenses are putting a strain on Floridians, and that’s what this campaign has always been about: making Florida more affordable and making sure our state works for the people who live here,” he said.
Maples’ campaign did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.