With polls opening early Tuesday in one of the most-watched local races in South Florida, President Donald Trump jumped in at the final hour Monday night and endorsed Republican Jon Maples in the special election for Florida House District 87.
Trump took to social media to issue a directive to voters in the Palm Beach County district, which includes parts of Lake Worth Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Juno Beach, and nearby communities.
“There is a very important Special Election tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24, for Florida State House District 87 in beautiful Palm Beach County. John Maples has my complete and total endorsement,” Trump wrote.
He described Maples as “a very successful Businessman and Civic Leader, who is known and loved,” and noted endorsements from local figures, including state Rep. “MAGA” Meg Weinberger.
Trump urged supporters to get out and vote, listing Maples’ priorities: growing the economy, cutting taxes and regulations, promoting “MADE IN THE U.S.A.,” stopping migrant crime, safeguarding elections, supporting the military, veterans, and law enforcement, and defending the Second Amendment.
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“To all great patriots in Florida State House District 87: get out and vote for Jon Maples! Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Jon will never let you down!” the president added.
The timing of Trump’s endorsement
Just one day before voters head to the polls, the President’s endorsement has injected renewed energy into a race that’s already drawn national attention because the district sits near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home and has leaned Republican in recent cycles.
It should be noted that most GOP candidates endorsed by Trump have a higher chance of winning an election than those not endorsed.
Maples, a Florida native, financial planner, and former Lake Clarke Shores town council member, has positioned himself as a conservative outsider focused on local priorities.
On his campaign website, he says he’s “running to give families a voice and restore local priorities in Tallahassee.”
A former All-American basketball player at Palm Beach Atlantic University, Maples emphasizes his background in business and community leadership.
He faces Democrat Emily Gregory, a first-time candidate with experience in public health and mental health who now runs a fitness center for new moms.
Gregory has tried to make the contest about who faithfully represents the district’s day-to-day concerns, including affordability and access to services.
The seat has been empty for months after former Republican Rep. Mike Caruso left in 2025 to become Palm Beach County clerk.
Both Maples and Gregory cruised through their January primaries, each taking more than 80 percent of the vote in their parties.
Republicans see the district as one they should hold comfortably. Trump carried it by about 11 points in 2024, and Gov. Ron DeSantis won by a wider margin in 2022.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Maples, praising his pro-business outlook.
But the race hasn’t been without drama. Questions have swirled around Maples’ residency, with his opponent pointing out that he previously lived just outside the district’s boundaries.
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Maples has defended himself, saying he lives and works in the area, has been registered to vote there, and recently cast an early ballot in Palm Beach Gardens.
He insists his deep roots in northern Palm Beach County, including 13 years of local work, make him the right fit.
Local Republicans have rallied around him, with state Rep. Meg Weinberger and others appearing alongside the candidate at events.
For Democrats, a surprise win in this Trump-friendly pocket of Palm Beach County would be a morale boost heading into the midterms and a symbolic jab right in the president’s backyard.
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Early voting has already wrapped up, so Tuesday is the main event. Turnout could be the deciding factor in what has become anything but a sleepy local contest.
