Democrat Emily Gregory Secures Victory in Florida House Special Election
In a significant political upset, first-time candidate Emily Gregory has flipped a Florida House of Representatives seat in a district that includes former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. The special election victory on Tuesday represents a notable win for Democrats in a traditionally Republican area.
A Focus on Affordability and Community Issues
Gregory, a 40-year-old mother of three, Catholic, and small business owner, centered her campaign squarely on addressing the ongoing affordability crisis affecting Florida families. "Everyone is feeling the affordability crisis, and the last thing that Florida families needed when they're struggling is $4 gas," Gregory told CNN following her victory.
The Democratic Party has characterized the result as an "earth shattering victory for Florida Democrats" in a district that had been held by Republican Mike Caruso until his resignation. Caruso stepped down after being appointed as a county clerk by Governor Ron DeSantis.
Defeating Trump-Endorsed Opposition
Gregory's victory came against Republican candidate Jon Maples, who had received a public endorsement from former President Trump via a Truth Social post. Despite this high-profile backing, Gregory managed to secure the seat in Florida's House District 87 through a campaign that emphasized local concerns over national politics.
While Gregory did criticize Trump during her campaign, she maintained that she would be "happy" to speak with the former president, whose gilded Mar-a-Lago estate lies within the boundaries of her newly won district.
Background and Personal Life
Born on Florida's Treasure Coast and raised in Stuart, Gregory now resides in Jupiter with her family. She holds two degrees:
- A BS in Health and Exercise Science from Wake Forest University
- A Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from Columbia University
Gregory operates FIT4MOM Palm Beach, a fitness community designed to support pregnant and postpartum women through various classes including 60-minute Stroller Strides workouts. Her business focuses on improving posture and building client confidence.
Her husband, Andrew Gregory, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army in December 2025, a fact Gregory frequently referenced during her campaign while identifying as an "army spouse." The couple shares three children who featured prominently in campaign materials, including a Halloween photo where the family dressed as Star Wars characters.
Policy Positions and Community Engagement
On her campaign website, Gregory emphasized that she has experienced many of the same challenges as her constituents, including rising costs and limited access to affordable healthcare. She has been vocal about several key issues:
- Education: Calling for greater investments in Florida's educational institutions
- Healthcare: Expressing "deep concern" about efforts to eliminate vaccine mandates in schools
- Property Insurance: Pledging to fight for lower rates during her campaign
Gregory warned that removing vaccine safeguards "puts vulnerable children at serious risk and turns classrooms into potential outbreak sites." Her victory speech and subsequent interviews have consistently returned to themes of affordability, healthcare access, and support for military families.
The special election result marks a significant shift in a district that includes one of former President Trump's most iconic properties, suggesting that local economic concerns may be outweighing national political allegiances for some Florida voters.
