In a surprising twist of political dynamics, President Donald Trump might soon find a Democrat representing his Mar-a-Lago estate in the Florida House of Representatives. As the special election approaches, Democrat Emily Gregory is determined to secure a victory over her Republican rival, Jon Maples, in the contest set for Tuesday. This election aims to fill the vacancy left by Republican Mike Caruso, who was appointed as county clerk and comptroller by Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis last summer.
The seat has remained unoccupied since August, and Gregory, at 40 years old, is eager to step into this political role. Her win would be particularly significant, as it would represent a Democratic foothold in a locale closely associated with Trump, potentially causing him embarrassment in his own neighborhood.
Since 2019, during his presidency, Trump has called Florida home, officially changing his residency to Mar-a-Lago. His decision to vote by mail in the special election has drawn attention, especially given his previous criticisms of mail-in voting, which he has disparagingly labeled as ‘mail-in cheating,’ as reported by the New York Times.
Emily Gregory brings to the table not only her political aspirations but also her personal experience as a mother of three and a small business owner. Her venture, FIT4MOM Palm Beach, leverages her background in health and exercise science to provide fitness classes tailored for pregnant women and new mothers, underscoring her commitment to community and family health.
The President changed his residency to Florida in 2019 during his first term, making his primary residence Mar-a-Lago between his first and second terms. Trump opened himself to criticism by voting in the special election by mail, the New York Times reported, a practice he has referred to as ‘mail-in cheating.’
Gregory is a mother of three and used her health and exercise science background to launch a small business, FIT4MOM Palm Beach, offering exercise classes to pregnant women and new moms.
She’s also highlighted her experiences as a military spouse.
The Palm Beach Post, the local newspaper, endorsed Gregory on Monday.
Democratic candidate Emily Gregory (left) is competing in a special election against Republican Jon Maples (right) to represent Florida’s House District 87. Mar-a-Lago is situated in that state House district
President Donald Trump changed his primary residence to Mar-a-Lago (pictured) in 2019. Democrats are hoping that the President will have to cope with having a Democratic state representative after Tuesday’s special election
Maples, of course, has Trump’s endorsement.
The President backed the GOP hopeful ahead of the primary for the state House special election in January.
He called him a ‘very successful Businessman and Civic Leader.’
‘As your next State Representative, Jon will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Stop Migrant Crime, Safeguard our Elections, Support our Military, Veterans, and Law Enforcement, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment,’ Trump said.
Ahead of Tuesday, the Florida Democratic Party is claiming that Maples doesn’t actually live in the district.
The Florida Democratic Party alleged that on January 12, during the primary, Maples was using a voter registration address associated with a motel in Palm Beach Shores.
This address was used again on March 14, the Democrats said.
The Democrats have called on Maples to drop out of the contest.
Mom of three Emily Gregory, who runs a fitness studio for pregnant women and new moms, is hoping to flip a Republican-held state House seat in Tuesday’s special election in Florida
Republican hopeful Jon Maples (left) is photographed with Eric Trump (right). He received President Donald Trump’s endorsement in the primary, which he easily won
The Maples campaign did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail’s request for comment.
Florida Politics reported that the GOP hopeful said that he and his family have moved into a home in Jupiter, Florida – within the district boundaries – since the January primary.
Florida law states that a representative must live in the district only at the time of their swearing-in.
The district in question, Florida’s House District 87, has generally trended Republican.
Trump won the district by around 9 points, while Caruso won even more handily, by 19 points.
Maples has a fundraising advantage over his Democratic rival, and Republicans still have a statewide voter registration advantage, Florida Politics said.
Still, Democrats view that seat as flippable, as special elections can sometimes be unpredictable.
The party recently found success in the nearby Boca Raton mayor’s race, with Democrat Andy Thomson becoming the first blue mayor of the city in 45 years.
