The Democrats won the district where Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence is located in Florida, according to projections from American media. In this legislative partial election for the House of Representatives of Florida, Democrat Emily Gregory defeated Republican Jon Maples, as reported by CNN, the New York Times, and other American media outlets.
The Republican majority appears to be weakened
This local election in Florida’s 87th district has symbolic significance as it encompasses the luxurious property where Donald Trump spends most of his weekends. In 2024, Republican candidate Mike Caruso won this district by 19 points. He resigned in August after being appointed to the Palm Beach court by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, triggering a partial election. Donald Trump himself voted by mail for this election, as reported by American media. “The Democrats have just taken Trump’s district at Mar-a-Lago!” boasted the party on X.
This election comes eight months before the midterm federal elections of November, for which the Republican majority appears to be weakened. “If Democrats can win in Trump’s stronghold, we can certainly win everywhere in the country. Onward to November!” wrote Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin on X. Democrats have won the vast majority of partial elections since Mr. Trump arrived at the White House in January 2025, including in a traditionally Republican state like Texas in January.
No Democratic candidate has won Florida in the presidential election since 2012, but this state has not escaped the Democratic wave. Boca Raton, about fifty kilometers south of Palm Beach, elected its first Democratic mayor in 45 years at the beginning of the month, and in December a Democrat won the mayorship of Miami, a first in nearly 30 years.
Mrs. Gregory’s election will not change the balance of power in the state legislature where Republicans hold a vast majority.
