Democrats flipped two Florida state legislative seats in special elections — one by about 800 votes — and the results were close enough that a recount almost happened, but was not triggered.

Multiple reputable outlets confirm that Democrats won:

Florida House District 87 (Palm Beach/Mar‑a‑Lago area) by just under 800 votes.

Florida Senate District 14 by 408 votes.

The immediate story is a narrow victory. Democrat Emily Gregory will represent Florida’s State House District 87, a Palm Beach area that includes President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, after defeating Republican Jon Maples by just under 800 votes. The seat had been vacant since August, when the previous Republican incumbent left to become county clerk. This win adds to a recent national trend of Democratic special election successes, even in traditionally Republican strongholds.

https://www.ainvest.com/news/democrats-flip-florida-district-87-blueprint-2026-house-volatility-2603/

Florida Democrats flipped two legislative seats Tuesday night in their biggest election night in years.

In the only state Senate election on the ballot, Democrat Brian Nathan, a Navy veteran, union organizer, and first-time candidate, shocked Republican state Rep. Josie Tomkow in the Hillsborough County Senate District 14 contest, winning by just 408 votes, taking 50.25% of the vote to Tomkow 49.75%.

Tomkow said she will run again for the seat in November.

https://southfloridareporter.com/florida-democrats-flip-two-seats-in-special-legislative-elections/

Florida law requires a machine recount only if the margin is 0.5% or less.

District 87 was 51%–49%, which is outside recount range.

District 14 briefly looked close enough, but the final margin exceeded the threshold.