Emily Gregory beats Trump to win Florida House seat

Democratic candidate Emily Gregory is expected to win the Florida House seat representing the Palm Beach County district, also home to President Donald Trump, in a special election Tuesday night.

Gregory is expected to defeat Republican John Maples, 43, who supports President Trump, and the 87th Congressional District seat will be stripped from Republican control.

The district includes Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, where he resides.

Mr. Gregory is a 40-year-old small business owner who had never run for office until this year.

The special election was held to fill the seat previously held by Mike Caruso, a Republican who resigned in August to become Palm Beach County Clerk.

Caruso, who won the 87th District in the 2024 election by a nearly 20-point margin, was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who unsuccessfully sought the 2024 Republican presidential nomination won by Trump.

President Trump praised Maples at an event in Florida on Saturday, calling the candidate to the stage.

“I am honored that the voters of the 87th District have placed their confidence in me,” Gregory, 40, said in a statement Tuesday night.

“Tonight’s results send a clear message that people want Florida to move in a new direction, one where our leaders focus on cutting costs and standing up for working families,” Gregory said.

“Floridians are being squeezed by rising housing costs, insurance premiums, and the cost of daily living, and this campaign has always been about making Florida more affordable and making sure Florida works for the people who live in Florida,” she said.

Heather Williams, chair of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, told reporters on CNBC and MS Now this week that the district seat is “winnable.”

“It wouldn’t be a surprise if we didn’t win,” Williams said.

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