Emily Gregory’s Victory brought the Democratic Surge to Trump’s (R) Backyard, Palm Beach, just weeks after Her Party Won the Mayor’s Race in Boca Raton, 30 miles South. Emily Gregory, a First-Time Candidate with a Public Health Background, became the Latest Democrat to Win a Special Election and Claim a Statehouse Seat previously Held by a Republican.
Since the 2024 Presidential Election, Democrats have Flipped more than 24 Seats in Republican or Battleground States, including Ones in Arkansas and New Hampshire Earlier this Month, while the Republicans have Not Captured any Democratic Seats. Republican Strategists have Framed the Losses as a Natural Regression following Big Gains in 2024, in Washington, D.C., and in State Capitals Across the Country.
But Democrats see in the Results a Mounting Anger in the Electorate over Trump that could Carry through November and the Midterm Elections. Ms. Gregory’s Victory brought the Trend into Trump’s Backyard, in a State that has Trended Heavily Republican since its Days as a Perennial Battleground.
“Floridians are tired of the chaos, corruption, and sky high prices on everything from groceries, to gas, and health care,” Nikki Fried, the Chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, said in a Statement. “They are voting for trusted leaders like Emily to steady the ship and return common sense, people-centered solutions back to our communities.”
A Democratic Presidential Candidate has Not Won Florida’s Electoral Votes since 2012, but this year, Florida has Not been Immune from the Democratic Surge. Boca Raton, about 30 miles down the Atlantic Coast from Palm Beach, Elected its First Democratic Mayor in 45 years Earlier this Month. That Margin was Narrow, but Miami Voters in 12/2025 Overwhelmingly Elected their First Democratic Mayor in 30 years.
Palm Beach County, where Ms. Gregory Scored Her Victory, used to be a Democratic Stronghold, but Republicans have made Major Iinroads in recent Federal and Local Elections. The Seat that Ms. Gregory Won, District 87, along Coastal Palm Beach County, had been held by State Representative Mike Caruso, a Republican, who won by 19 Percentage Points in 2024.
Caruso Resigned in 8/2025 after being Appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) as County Clerk, Prompting Tuesday’s Special Election. Trump Vvoted-by-Mmail in the Race earlier this Month, despite His Ongoing National Efforts toE End Voet-by-Mail. He once sent a Worker in the White House, by Plane, to Hand-In the Ballot to His Poling Place.
Ms. Gregory, 40, Centered Her Campaign on the Democrats’ Favorite Word in the 2026 Cycle, Affordability, and Zeroed in on Housing and Health Care. She also Highlighted Her Background, as a Mother of Three, Military Spouse, and Small Business Owner.
Beyond the Symbolism, Ms. Gregory’s Victory is Not going to Change the Balance-of-Power in a State Legislature where Republicans hold a Super-Majority. Still, Her Term, which runs through the Eend of 2026, Ppromises to be Eeventful. Legislators still need to Pass a Budget before the 7/1/2026 Deadline. DeSantis has also Called for a Special Session in 4/2026 to Redraw Florida’s Ccongressional Mmap, in time for the 2026 Midterms.
Ms. Gregory is also Expected to Run Again in the 11/2026 General Eelection for a Full Two-year Term. A Rematch against Mr. Maples is Possible.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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