The Democrats have won a Florida special election, flipping a state legislative district that is home to Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.
Emily Gregory, a first-time candidate, beat Republican Jon Maples, who had been endorsed by Mr Trump.
A mother of three young boys and an army spouse, she runs a fitness community for pregnant and postpartum women in Palm Beach.
She led her campaign on the rising cost of living and limited support for working parents. She said she would focus on these issues if she were elected.
Ms Gregory described being “pretty shocked” and “having a fairly out-of-body experience,” speaking to MS NOW after her victory.
Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, declared: “If Mar-a-Lago is vulnerable, imagine what’s possible this November.”
That refers to the upcoming midterms, when the Democrats will be looking to inflict major damage upon the Trump presidency with potential wins in the House of Representatives and Senate.
Ms Williams went on: “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.”
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Voters turn from Trump ahead of midterm elections
Democrats have flipped several state House seats in special elections since Mr Trump returned to the White House more than a year ago.
The president’s approval rating is in the high 30s to low 40s, according to Sky News US partner network NBC News, which says the war with Iran has been met with disapproval from the majority of voters.
Mr Trump himself voted by post in the Tuesday election. He was a New Yorker for most of his life but switched his personal residence and voter registration to Florida during his first term.
He spends many weekends at his Mar-a-Lago home as president.
