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Democratic Momentum · Florida Politics · Special Election · State Legislature
Emily Gregory, a Democrat, secured a surprise victory in a Florida special election for a state house district including President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, defeating a Trump-backed Republican and flipping a seat previously won by 19 percentage points by Republicans.
This win is the latest in a series of special election flips nationwide, signaling potential momentum for Democrats in a midterm election year. Gregory, a 40-year-old first-time candidate, focused her campaign on local economic concerns such as fast-rising insurance costs, groceries, and gas, rather than directly opposing Trump.
Florida Democratic Chairwoman Nikki Fried stated that if the party can win in Donald Trump’s backyard, they can win anywhere. Gregory plans to oppose a Republican initiative to redraw the state’s congressional map, which she described as a "complete power grab." Democrats are also hopeful for Brian Nathan in a Tampa-area state senate race, currently holding a narrow lead within recount range.
