Trump Get Bad Mar-a-Lago News

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Democrats scored an upset victory in a Florida state House race, flipping a district that includes Mar-a-Lago, a property closely associated with President Donald Trump.

According to Decision Desk HQ, Democrat Emily Gregory, who runs a health and fitness business, defeated Republican Jon Maples, a candidate endorsed by Trump, in the race for Florida’s open District 87 seat. The district covers parts of Palm Beach County, including the area where Mar-a-Lago is located.

With more than 95 percent of ballots counted as of Tuesday evening, Gregory secured just over 51 percent of the vote, while Maples trailed with just under 49 percent.

The seat became available after Ron DeSantis appointed Republican Mike Caruso to serve as county clerk and comptroller last August. Trump himself participated in the special election by casting a mail-in ballot.

The outcome is notable given the district’s recent voting history. Caruso previously won the seat by a comfortable margin, and Trump carried the district by roughly nine percentage points in the 2024 presidential election. However, Kamala Harris narrowly won Palm Beach County in that same election cycle. The area is also represented in Congress by Lois Frankel and Brian Mast.

The race drew attention from prominent political figures and organizations nationwide. Trump publicly backed Maples, while Representative Byron Donalds, who is running for governor, appeared with the Republican candidate during the campaign. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier also supported Maples.

On the Democratic side, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee supported Gregory’s campaign. Retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who is running for Senate in Florida, hosted a virtual fundraiser for her, and Frankel formally endorsed her candidacy.

Following the result, DLCC Chair Heather Williams praised the victory, arguing that flipping a district in Trump’s own backyard could signal broader challenges for Republicans heading into upcoming elections. She noted that a district previously considered safely Republican becoming competitive — and ultimately changing hands — may point to shifting political dynamics.

This victory adds to a series of recent gains for Democrats in Florida. In December, Democrat Eileen Higgins defeated Republican Emilio Gonzalez to become Miami’s first Democratic mayor in decades, marking another notable win for the party in the state.