Democrats Flip Florida State House District Home to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago

Despite calls from President Trump and other top Republicans to get out the vote, Democrats have flipped a Florida state house of representatives district which just so happens to be home to Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club. Mr. Trump won his home state house district by double digits in 2024. The surprising victory for Democrats on Tuesday night is just the latest evidence of a strong opposition party performance in November. Since Mr. Trump returned to the White House last year, Republicans have been unable to flip a single state legislative seat to red from blue, while Democrats have been winning in Trump districts across the country, or at least significantly overperforming Vice President Kamala Harris. The special election for the state house of representatives’ 87th district took place on Tuesday after its previous representative resigned last year to take a new job. The Democratic candidate, state representative-elect Emily Gregory, defeated Republican Jon Maples by more than two points. Mr. Trump won the district by more than 11 points in 2024, representing a 13-point shift to the left. “There is a very important Special Election tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24th, for Florida State House District 87 in beautiful Palm Beach County,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday. “JON MAPLES HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!”The 87th district covers more than half of the Palm Beach County coastline from Juno Beach to Lantana. Right in the center of that district is the town of Palm Beach, which is home to the president’s Mar-a-Lago club. Other prominent Republicans called on voters to show up in the red district on Tuesday, hoping to avoid embarrassment in Mr. Trump’s own backyard. Senator Rick Scott told residents to “Get out and VOTE” in an X post on Monday night. Congressman Byron Donalds, who is the overwhelming favorite to be the Republican nominee for Florida governor this year, posted a video with Mr. Maples at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, telling voters to show up for the GOP candidate. Over the weekend, Mr. Trump welcomed Mr. Maples on stage at a Mar-a-Lago event, praising him as a worthy endorsee. “Get up here, Jon! I’m endorsing Jon. He’s got the greatest commercial I think I’ve ever seen. The only thing it says is: ‘Trump’s endorsing me,’” Mr. Trump said with a laugh. It wasn’t just the 87th house district where Republicans took a beating. The 14th state senate district — which was left without representative after lieutenant governor Jay Collins was elevated to his current role by Governor Ron DeSantis — is set to flip to Democrats. As of Wednesday morning, the Democratic candidate leads his Republican opponent by less than one percent, despite Mr. Trump winning the district by seven points in 2024. Democrats fell short in the special election for the 51st state house of representatives district, but still moved it leftward on Tuesday. Mr. Trump won that district by 14 points in his last election, though Republicans are set to win it by only eight points as of Wednesday morning.

Democrats Flip Florida State House District Home to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago

Democrats Flip Florida State House District Home to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago

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