ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) 鈥� After in a Florida special election, Emily Gregory said she’s excited to represent all of her constituents 鈥� and that includes President Donald Trump.
鈥淚 would love to have a conversation,鈥� the Democrat told The Associated Press on Wednesday. 鈥淗e鈥檚 welcome to call me, as I am his new state representative.鈥�
The president鈥檚 Mar-a-Lago resort is part of Gregory鈥檚 district, which is anchored by Palm Beach. Although state legislative races rarely get the national spotlight, Democrats across the country were positively euphoric at the irony of their Republican nemesis being represented by one of their own.
Gregory’s victory is the latest example of how Democrats have flipped seats in a series of special elections that could be a sign of momentum in a midterm election year that will provide a political verdict on Trump鈥檚 second term.
Here was a 40-year-old first-time candidate who owns a local fitness company for pregnant and postpartum women defeating a Republican whom Trump had endorsed by saying he was backed 鈥渂y so many of my Palm Beach County friends.鈥�
Gregory’s win was especially sweet for Florida Democrats, who have been beaten down by years of Republican domination in what was once the consummate battleground state. Democrats are also hopeful that Brian Nathan will win a state senate seat in the Tampa area; the AP has not yet called that race but he currently has a narrow lead that is within the state鈥檚 automatic recount range.
鈥淭he pendulum swings in both directions,鈥� Florida Democratic Chairwoman Nikki Fried told reporters. 鈥淟ast night it swung hard in the state of Florida.”
She added, “If we can win in Donald Trump鈥檚 backyard, we can win anywhere.鈥�
Florida Republican Chairman Evan Power did not return a message seeking comment. Trump said nothing Wednesday about the race.
Gregory said she’s 鈥榚mbedded in my community鈥�
For Gregory, it has been a stunning introduction to the national spotlight.
鈥淚 believed in myself the whole time,鈥� Gregory said, describing her political 鈥渘aivet茅鈥� about the district and its conservative leanings as an asset. She was elected to finish the term of Mike Caruso, a Republican who resigned to become Palm Beach County鈥檚 clerk, and she would need to run again in November if she wants to keep the seat.
Gregory told the AP she did not make her contest about the president specifically, focusing instead on constituents鈥� concerns involving the economy and everyday costs 鈥� from fast-rising insurance in the hurricane-prone district to groceries and gas.
She described herself as a lifelong 鈥減roud Florida Democrat鈥� but said she did not view herself as a Trump opposition leader. She said she will go to Tallahassee focused on proposals to limit insurance rate hikes, expand health care access, support public education and lift 鈥渉uge, crushing burdens on the average Florida family.鈥�
鈥淚 just see myself as very embedded in my community, very representative of District 87,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I鈥檓 so humbled and proud to be their representative.鈥�
Gregory expects to be sworn in before a special legislative session that begins April 20 to redraw the state’s congressional map. It’s a Republican initiative intended to boost the party’s chances to hold onto its thin majority in the U.S. House, and Gregory said she plans to oppose the effort.
She described the session as a 鈥渃omplete power grab鈥� resulting from 鈥渢he president’s call to gerrymander in favor of Republicans.鈥�
Trump endorsed Gregory鈥檚 opponent, Jon Maples, and in the contest. The president reiterated his support for Maples on the eve of the election with a social media post addressed to 鈥淎LL GREAT PATRIOTS.鈥�
Florida Dem chair says party has the right candidates
Fried praised Gregory and Nathan, a 45-year-old veteran and union worker, as quality candidates who could capitalize on the broader political environment.
鈥淭he type of person and connection on the issues matters,鈥� Fried said.
Gregory flipped a seat that her Republican predecessor had won by 19 percentage points. Fried said Trump carried the district by 11 points in 2024.
Republicans still dominate the Florida Legislature, and they have been considered heavy favorites to hold the governor鈥檚 office in November, four years after Gov. Ron DeSantis won a blowout reelection campaign.
But Fried and other Democrats insisted the trends suggest a competitive landscape. She noted that Tuesday’s victories followed two congressional special elections in 2025 when Florida Democrats lost but in heavily Republican districts.
鈥淵ou’ve seen tremendous overspending by Republicans,鈥� Fried said of the current cycle. 鈥淚t’s not working.鈥�
Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly said Wednesday the results demonstrate an upswing for the party as long as candidates address the economy.
鈥淐hange is here,鈥� said Jolly, a former Republican congressman who switched parties. 鈥淰oters are giving us an opportunity in Florida that they haven鈥檛 given us in years.鈥�
A spokesman for Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, whom Trump has endorsed for Florida governor, took at least some notice of the latest results.
鈥淲e constantly assess how we execute our strategy 鈥� that鈥檚 just good campaigns,鈥� said Ryan Smith, Donalds’ chief campaign strategist. 鈥淲hat won鈥檛 change is our mission: President Trump endorsed Byron Donalds to deliver real results and defend the Florida Dream, and that鈥檚 what voters can expect to see from us.鈥�
Gregory, meanwhile, said she’s ready to get to work, including for Trump.
鈥淚 will work as hard for every single one of 180,000 constituents in District 87,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd not elevate anyone over the rest.鈥�
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Barrow reported from Atlanta.
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