Emily Gregory: The Democrat Who Secured Trump’s Mar-a-Lago District

(SeaPRwire) –   Democrat Emily Gregory captured a Florida state House district encompassing Mar-a-Lago, the Palm Beach property President Donald Trump lists as his home, achieving a slim victory in a region the President carried by double digits fewer than two years prior.

Gregory bested Republican Jon Maples, whom Trump had endorsed just a day before. “Jon Maples has my complete and total endorsement!” Trump posted on social media. “To all great patriots in Florida State House District 87th: get out and vote for Jon Maples.” 

The special election was set in motion when Republican Mike Caruso left the seat to take office as Palm Beach County clerk and comptroller. He had captured the district by a 19-point margin in 2024.

Gregory claimed the seat by a margin of 2.4 percentage points, or 797 votes, earning 51.2% of the vote to Maples’ 48.8%.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried stated the outcome “reiterates an undeniable trend in Florida.”

“With year-round organizing and infrastructure investment, Democrats can run and win anywhere–including Donald Trump’s backyard,” she told TIME.

A spokesperson from Gregory’s team characterized the election as a sign that district voters are “ready for a new direction for Florida, one that concentrates on reducing costs and addressing the daily difficulties families confront.” 

“People are feeling the strain of increasing insurance premiums, housing costs, groceries, and gas, and they want leaders who concentrate on those matters rather than political distractions,” the spokesperson told TIME.

The victory contributes to a recent pattern of Democratic overperformance in special elections, coming after wins in the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial contests in November.

It also occurs as the war in Iran keeps intensifying and Trump’s approval rating has fallen from 40% last week to 36%, based on a Reuters/Ipsos poll—the lowest of his presidency.

Democrats are positioning Gregory’s win as building momentum heading into November’s midterm elections.

“If Democrats can win in Trump’s backyard, we sure as hell can win anywhere across the country. Onward to November!” Democratic National Committee Chair Kevin Martin said.

Gregory said during a press briefing Wednesday morning that she felt “honored and humbled” by the victory in Florida.

“Not many people thought this was possible, but my family and I simply believed we deserved better in our area,” she said. “We believed our community deserved a leader willing to go to Tallahassee and fight for them with no other agenda than to reduce costs and tackle the problems in the affordability crisis that’s affecting all of us.”

Gregory is a first-time candidate

Gregory, a first-time candidate, formerly worked as a small business owner and public health professional.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science and a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from Wake Forest and Columbia University. She also headed a Palm Beach-based fitness community for pregnant and postpartum women.

Married to Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Gregory, she has described herself as an “army wife” and is a mother of three.

On the campaign trail, Gregory said she had been “mulling it over for some years now” before deciding to run, pointing to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests following the killing of George Floyd as primary motivators.

“We’re a normal family—my husband, my three children. We work hard and we want the same things that the rest of our neighbors do,” Gregory said during the press briefing Wednesday.

“I just wanted to see what it would be like, and if we could try a different voice—a voice willing to fight against special interests and fight for Florida families, no matter what your family looks like, whether that’s a big extended family like mine or friends who are family.”

Gregory will have Trump as one of her constituents 

Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence lies within Florida’s state House District 87, now represented by Gregory, meaning she will serve as his representative in the Florida House of Representatives.

“I would always be open to having a conversation. I’m open to having a conversation with anyone about anything,” Gregory said in response to a question from TIME during the briefing Wednesday.

According to records, Trump cast his vote by mail-in ballot in the special election. A day before the election, he called mail-in voting “cheating” and has consistently urged the Senate to pass the SAVE America Act, which would limit mail-in ballots.

“My thoughts on my most famous constituent are that I will work as hard for every single one of the constituents in District 87 and not elevate anyone over the rest,” she said.

She characterized her campaign as focusing on local issues rather than national politics. 

“The things that work for all Florida families—lowering property insurance, expanding health care, and strengthening our public schools—that is what I am focused on,” she said.

Gregory opposes mid-cycle redistricting in Florida

Gregory pledged during the campaign to oppose any redistricting before the midterms this November.

“I’m opposed to any calls to redistrict before the midterms,” she told TIME. “This is a direct call from the President to gerrymander in favor of Republicans.” 

Trump has urged Republicans to redraw district maps to favor the party in various parts of the country, particularly red states like Indiana, Texas, and Florida. 

“The overwhelming majority of Floridians made partisan gerrymandering illegal in 2010 with the Fair Districts amendment. So constitutionally, it’s illegal,” Gregory said. 

“We know the voters don’t want this, and this is another example of the state legislature not listening to the people they represent, so I will do everything in my power to fight it. It’s a complete power grab for the midterms, or an attempt at one.”

Gregory and her family oppose the Iran war 

While the state House has no legislative authority over foreign policy or the direction of the war in Iran, Gregory confirmed to TIME that she and her family oppose the conflict.

“We are opposed to forever wars—wars that have no justification given to the American people, cost more than a billion dollars a day, and impact us personally,” she said.

Gregory told TIME that her husband, who served actively in the U.S. Army for many years, is currently in the reserves. 

“We are concerned, as we’re concerned for all the troops in harm’s way, and we pray for all the members of the armed forces and their families,” she added.

Gregory’s opposition comes as the U.S. has deployed thousands of Marines and several additional battleships to the Middle East amid fears of further escalation and potential boots on the ground in Iran.