Emily Gregory (D) projected to win Florida state House seat that includes Mar-a-Lago

Democrat Emily Gregory is projected to win an open Florida state House seat that includes part of Palm Beach County and President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, according to CNN and Decision Desk HQ. Gregory’s victory in District 87 flips a seat Trump carried by 11 points in 2024.

With 33,328 votes counted as of 8 p.m. Tuesday, Decision Desk HQ showed Gregory with 17,047 votes, or 51.15%, compared with 16,281 votes, or 48.85%, for Republican Jon Maples.

District 87 is centered in part of Palm Beach County on Florida’s southeast coast and includes Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private club and residence in Palm Beach. The seat was open this year, setting up a closely watched contest in a district that had leaned Republican at the presidential level.

CNN reported that Gregory, a business owner and military spouse who was running for office for the first time, defeated Maples, a former council member from nearby Lake Shores. Maples had received what Trump called his “Complete and Total Endorsement” in January.

In an interview with CNN shortly after polls closed, Gregory said Trump was not a factor in her campaign and that she focused instead on Maples and what she described as issues affecting Florida families. She also said she would welcome the chance to speak with Trump.

Trump carried the district by 11 percentage points in the 2024 elections, according to Decision Desk HQ.