Neighbours living around US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-lago home have flipped their vote in favour of the Democrats in a sign that American voters may be turning.

Democrat Emily Gregory, a fitness entrepreneur, won a state legislative district in Florida on Tuesday (local time), despite Trump urging people to back the Republican candidate Jon Maples.

Trump posted on Monday that the Maples was backed “by so many of my Palm Beach County friends.”

The district was previously represented by Republican Mike Caruso, who won by 19 percentage points in 2024.

Democrats celebrated the victory in the special election as a sign that voters are turning against Trump and Republicans ahead of the midterm elections in November.

The party also won a second seat held by the Republicans in this week’s special election.

“Donald Trump’s own neighbours just sent a crystal clear message: They are furious and ready for change,” Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin said.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee said Tuesday’s race was the 29th seat that Democrats had won from Republican control since Trump took office.

“If Mar-a-Lago is vulnerable, imagine what’s possible this November.

“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.”

A former Trump staffer said the votes should be seen as a reflection of public sentiments on Trump’s leadership, months ahead of the midterms.

“The midterms and smaller races like this are referendums on where the American people stand on the performance of President Trump and the party generally at this point,” they said.

Other Republicans, however, brushed off the surprise wins as no more than special election anomalies.

“A low-turnout state House special election is a snapshot of local quirks, candidate dynamics, and turnout math — not some grand verdict,” Republican National Committee senior adviser Danielle Alvarez said.

With almost all votes counted, Gregory led by 2.4 percentage points, or 797 votes.

AP writes that Gregory, who had never run for elected office before, owns a fitness company that works with pregnant and postpartum women.

She told MSNOW she was “pretty shocked” and “having a fairly out-of-body experience”.

American media is reporting that Trump, wife Melania and son Baron all voted by postal ballots in this weeks election. He has frequently lambasted mail-in ballots as corrupt and beneficial to Democrats.

-with AP