Democrats secured a notable victory in a special election in Palm Beach, flipping a Florida state House seat that includes President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence.

First-time Democratic candidate Emily Gregory defeated Republican Jon Maples, who had been endorsed by Trump, in the race for Florida’s District 87 seat.

The outcome marks a significant reversal from 2024, when Republicans carried the district by a wide margin of nearly 20 percentage points.

Gregory’s win adds to a string of strong Democratic performances in recent special elections and could signal growing momentum for the party ahead of upcoming midterm contests.

“When I started this nine months ago, I thought it was possible,” Gregory said in an interview with MSNBC, adding that her campaign had identified the race as a potential opportunity to flip the seat.

Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin hailed the result as a broader political message, writing on social media that if Democrats can win in Trump’s backyard, they can compete nationwide.

Trump had publicly backed Maples, urging supporters to turn out for the election, while Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, a candidate for Florida governor, also campaigned on his behalf.

The victory underscores shifting dynamics in local races and highlights how special elections are increasingly being viewed as early indicators of national political trends.