A Democrat has flipped a Republican-held seat in a Florida special election

A Democrat has flipped a Republican-held seat in a Florida special election in a district that includes Mar-a-Lago, the residence of former President Donald Trump.

Emily Gregory defeated Republican Jon Maples by about 2.4 percentage points, winning by fewer than 800 votes. Trump had endorsed Maples and urged voter turnout ahead of the election.

The district was previously held by Republican Mike Caruso, who resigned after winning a county position. He had carried the seat by 19 points in 2024, making the Democratic flip a notable upset.

Democrats say the victory reflects growing voter frustration over rising living costs and signals momentum heading into the November midterm elections. Gregory, a first-time candidate and business owner from nearby Stuart, said she was surprised by the outcome.

The race is one of several recent special election wins for Democrats in Republican-leaning areas, including contests in Florida and Texas. The result is especially symbolic given the district’s connection to Trump, who downplayed the loss despite his endorsement of the Republican candidate.

Election Results
https://enr.electionsfl.org/PAL/3942/Summary/