Democrats Secure Stunning Victories in Florida Special Elections

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Democrats have won two special election victories in Florida, flipping a Republican-held state House district that includes Mar-a-Lago and narrowly winning a state Senate seat in a Tampa-area district that favored Republicans. The results represent major upsets and come amid a series of Democratic overperformances in special and state elections across the country since former President Trump returned to the White House.

Why it matters

These Democratic wins in traditionally Republican-leaning districts in Florida signal a potential shift in voter sentiment ahead of the 2024 midterm elections, where control of Congress is at stake. The results could embolden Democrats and worry Republicans as they prepare for a challenging electoral landscape.

The details

In the state House race, Democrat Emily Gregory, a small business owner, defeated the Republican candidate in Florida's 87th District, which includes former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach County. This was a district that Trump carried by double digits in the 2024 presidential election. In the state Senate race, Democrat Brian Nathan narrowly defeated the Republican opponent in District 14, a Tampa-area seat that the GOP had previously held. Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 22,000 in this district.

• The special elections were held on Tuesday, March 25, 2026.
• Florida law requires recounts when the margin of final results is within half a percentage point.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Florida law requires recounts when the margin of final results is within half a percentage point, so the Senate District 14 race may be subject to a recount.