Democrats flipped a Republican-held seat in the Florida state House, with Emily Gregory winning a closely watched special election Tuesday night in a district that includes President Donald Trump’s home of Mar-a-Lago, according to The Associated Press.

Gregory beat Trump-endorsed Republican Jon Maples in the 87th District, which includes Palm Beach. With almost all votes counted, Gregory narrowly led by 2.4 percentage points, or 797 votes, according to the AP.

The seat came open after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Republican Mike Caruso in August to serve as Palm Beach County clerk and comptroller.

Gregory’s victory outperformed expectations in a district that had leaned reliably Republican — Caruso won it by 19 percentage points in 2024.

Following her win, the Florida Democrat told MS NOW’s Jen Psaki she is “having a fairly out-of-body experience.” She offered advice for anyone trying to flip a district: “Go for it.”

“I say back yourself. You know it only takes you getting off the sidelines to make a difference, and if you want the world to look different, then you have to go out and make it different,” Gregory told MS NOW. “I think we’ve learned over the last several years that no one is coming to save us. We have to save ourselves.”

Gregory, a small-business owner, focused her campaign on several policy issues including affordability, public education and affordable health care. She claimed Maples, her opponent, made Trump the “forefront in his campaign.”

“It’s so important that we have different voices that are more representative of the average Floridian,” Gregory told Psaki.

Her win could boost momentum for Democrats ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Since the start of Trump’s second term, Democrats have flipped several Republican-held districts in states including Texas and Georgia.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee celebrated the win.

“Mar-a-Lago’s state House district just flipped from red to blue, which should have Republicans worried about their chances this November,” DLCC President Heather Williams said in a statement. “A Trump +11 district in his own backyard shouldn’t be in play for Democrats, but tonight proves Republicans are vulnerable everywhere.”

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