The Democrat who pulled off a shock upset in Donald Trump’s backyard has accused the GOP of an election scare campaign as she hit out at the president’s hypocrisy over mail-in voting.
Gregory’s victory in Florida’s 87th district—long considered safely Republican territory and home to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate—sent tremors through an already worried GOP ahead of the midterm elections.
But as the dust settled on her state house victory, the first-time candidate slammed Trump and the Republican Party for using “scare” tactics to question the integrity of elections.
She also accused the president of hypocrisy for claiming mail-in voting was cheating while using the remote method to vote in the district election along with his wife, Melania, and son, Barron.
“The erosion of trust in our election systems is all manipulation by those who want to stay in power,” she told the Daily Beast.
Gregory’s defeat against Trump-endorsed candidate Jon Maples has fueled Democratic optimism about a potential “blue wave,” particularly as the party continues to notch up gains in traditionally conservative areas.
Since January 2025, Democrats have flipped 30 state legislative seats from red to blue across the country, whereas Republicans, by contrast, have not flipped a single seat in that time.
Gregory, a mom, small business owner, and public health expert, said she won partly by ignoring the president and focusing on “real issues” such as grocery prices and housing affordability. She also cast her victory as a warning to MAGA candidates who tie themselves to Trump at the expense of voters.
“He was not a part of my campaign, whereas my opponent put him at the forefront of his campaign,” she said.
“It was on all of his literature and he touted the (president’s) endorsement at every turn, so that was a big part of his race. But I think the results show that the real issues for voters are more important, rather than what the president’s personal opinion is.”
As for how she would now deal with her most famous constituent?
“I will fight to lower his property insurance premiums just like the rest of District 87,” she said. “No one gets special treatment.”
Republicans were quick to play down the significance of the upset. Some in Trump’s orbit framed the result as a one-off driven by candidate-specific issues, noting the GOP still holds a commanding advantage in Florida’s legislature.
But veteran political analyst Larry Sobato argued that “while you can always explain away an election or two for a small unit like a state legislative race, you can’t explain away this many.”
“The fact is, they haven’t flipped a single Democratic seat anywhere,” he told the Daily Beast. “This is substantial. The Republicans should be very worried.”
Others, such as former Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene, said the president had abandoned his principles and the GOP was now paying the price.
“Turning your back on your campaign promises, and many disgusting behaviors like calling one of your top allies ‘traitor’ for releasing the Epstein files and refusing to go along with MIGA, apparently has consequences,” she posted on X.
Democrats, meanwhile, seized on the symbolism of flipping a district that includes Trump’s own residence.
“Donald Trump’s neighbors just sent a clear message. They are furious and ready for change,” said Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin.
314 Action president Shaughnessy Naughton, whose group aims to put more scientists into elected office, cited Gregory’s health background as a factor.
“Emily won because Floridians trust her to make decisions based on evidence not ideology,” she said, in a veiled swipe at Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.
