Democrats have secured stunning victories in two special elections in Florida on Tuesday night, adding to a series of recent wins and overperformances.
Democrat Emily Gregory, a small business owner and first-time candidate, won a special election on Tuesday to represent Florida’s 87th House District, a seat that includes President Donald Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago resort in Palm Beach County. The result saw her flip a Republican-held district that Trump carried by double digits in the 2024 presidential election.
Meanwhile, Democrat Brian Nathan, a union organizer and Navy veteran who is also a first-time candidate, declared victory over Republican opponent, former state Representative Josie Tomkow, in a tight race to replace Republican Jay Collins in Senate District 14. The seat has been vacant since Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Collins to serve as his lieutenant governor.
Why It Matters
Tuesday’s wins won’t change the overall control of the Florida Legislature’s Republican supermajority, but they have been hailed by Democrats after years of domination by Republicans in Florida.
They are also the latest in a series of Democratic overperformances and wins in special and state elections across the country since Trump returned to the White House over a year ago, and the latest sign that voters are turning against the president and Republicans ahead of the midterm elections in November.
What To Know
With almost all votes counted, Gregory led Republican Jon Maples by 2.4 percentage points, or 797 votes, The Associated Press reported.
The House seat was left vacant by Republican Mike Caruso, who resigned to become Palm Beach County’s clerk. Caruso won by 19 percentage points in 2024.
In Senate District 14, Nathan holds a 50.25 percent to 49.75 percent lead, according to unofficial results posted by the Hillsborough County supervisor of elections office. Florida law requires recounts when the margin of final results is within half a percentage point.
The outcome represents a major upset in a Tampa-area district that Collins won by almost 10 percentage points in 2022. Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 22,000 in the district, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried called the result a “shocking victory.”
Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said the seats were the 29th and 30th that Democrats have flipped from Republican control since Trump took office.
She said in a statement to Newsweek that Mar-a-Lago and Tampa “flipped from red to blue, which should have Republicans sweating the midterms.”
What People Are Saying
Emily Gregory said on MS NOW after her victory: “Right when I started this nine months ago, I obviously thought it was possible. I think most people thought I was insane looking at the numbers… I’m still like, pretty shocked. We did it, we just did it.”
Brian Nathan’s campaign said in a post on Instagram: “The official results have been released and we are proud to say Brian has won Senate District 14! Thank you all for your support!”
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said in a statement after Nathan’s win: “This victory reiterates an undeniable trend in Florida: with year round organizing and infrastructure investment, Democrats can run and win anywhere. Flipping this seat proves that Floridians are tired of the chaos, corruption, and sky high prices on everything from groceries, to gas, and healthcare. They want solutions and are demanding change after 30 years of single party rule in the State. Voters are ready for trusted leaders like Brian to steady the ship and return common sense, people-centered solutions back to our communities.”
Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said in a statement to Newsweek: “Mar-a-Lago and Tampa just flipped red to blue, which should have Republicans sweating the midterms. A Trump +11 district in his own backyard shouldn’t be in play for Democrats, but tonight proves Republicans are vulnerable everywhere. State Democrats have now flipped a staggering 30 districts red to blue since Trump’s election. Gas prices are spiking, grocery costs are up, and families can’t get by – it’s clear voters at the polls are fed up with Republicans.
“If Mar-a-Lago and Tampa are vulnerable, imagine what’s possible this November. Democrats are clearly on offense as we prepare for the most expansive midterm strategy ever down-ballot, with 650 seats in play. 2026 is shaping up to be an election for the history books.”
Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, wrote on X: “Donald Trump’s own neighbors in Florida just sent a message: They elected a Democrat, Emily Gregory, to serve as their representative in the Florida state House. If Democrats can win in Trump’s backyard, we sure as hell can win anywhere across the country. Onward to November!”
President Donald Trump urged supporters to vote for Maples in a Truth Social post on Monday, writing in part: “There is a very important Special Election tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24th, for Florida State House District 87 in beautiful Palm Beach County — JON MAPLES HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!”