On March 24, 2026, a significant special general election was held in Palm Beach County, Florida, for the State House District 87 seat. The election resulted in an upset victory for Democrat Emily Gregory, who defeated Republican Jon Maples in a closely watched contest. Gregory secured 51.15% of the vote compared to Maples' 48.85%, a margin of approximately 797 votes. This win marked the first time a Democrat had won the district, which includes the area surrounding the Mar-a-Lago resort, in this century.Emily Gregory is a first-time candidate, a small business owner, and an Army spouse. She operates a fitness center specifically for pregnant and postpartum women and has a professional background in public health. Her campaign platform was centered on addressing the affordability crisis in Florida, including rising property insurance, housing costs, and the price of everyday goods. Additionally, she campaigned on increasing funding for public education and expanding access to healthcare. Gregory had previously sued over the delay in calling the special election, arguing that the vacancy left residents without representation during the legislative session.Jon Maples is a financial planner and a former local council member who ran on a platform of cutting taxes and government spending. He also advocated for reducing regulatory burdens and expanding school choice policies. Maples received significant institutional support and was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, who also cast a mail-in ballot in the election.The campaign was marked by controversy regarding residency and political tactics. Allegations were made that Maples did not live in the district, with reports indicating he had registered to vote using a motel address that neighbors claimed remained vacant. Maples later stated that he and his family had purchased and moved into a new home within the district's boundaries. Meanwhile, Gregory’s campaign faced criticism for a political text message that some observers argued contained misleading claims and racially charged imagery.The District 87 seat became vacant in August 2025 when Republican Mike Caruso resigned to accept a local government appointment. The district, which covers areas including Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, and Juno Beach, had previously trended reliably Republican, with Caruso winning his 2024 re-election by 19 percentage points. Democratic leaders characterized the victory as a major "red-to-blue" flip and a sign of potential momentum heading into the upcoming midterm elections. Following the results, the local Democratic Party credited the win to an intensive volunteer-led organizing effort involving hundreds of hours of door-knocking and community mobilization.

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