WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday issued an executive order calling for a special election to fill House District 87, which has been vacant for the past two months.
However, the timing of the election means the district will remain without a voice in Tallahassee for most of the upcoming legislative session.
WATCH BELOW: Gov. DeSantis issues executive order to fill House District 87
The seat became vacant after former Rep. Mike Caruso resigned in August to become Palm Beach County's new court clerk and comptroller. The seat has been vacant since Aug. 19.
House District 87 covers some of the wealthiest areas of Palm Beach County, and its constituents include President Donald Trump.
The governor's executive order states that a special primary election will be held Jan. 13, 2026, followed by a special election on March 24, if necessary. The general election is scheduled two weeks after the legislative session is expected to conclude.
WPTV spoke to one of those candidates, Emily Gregory, earlier this month after she filed a lawsuit to compel DeSantis to call a special election.
"I am proud that our lawsuit moved the needle," Gregory told WPTV Monday.
When Florida's legislative session convenes in January, lawmakers are expected to address issues including new laws for illegal immigration, condo and insurance regulation.
Gregory believes the district can get some representation if the session runs longer than expected.
"We don't know if the session will go a month and a half over like last cycle. We don't know if there will be a special session in the summer," Gregory said.
There are four announced candidates for House District 87:
Democrats:
- Emily Gregory
- Laura Levites
Republicans:
- Jon Maples
- Gretchen Miller Feng
Feng released the following statement to WPTV investigative reporter Dave Bohman on Monday:
"I am pleased that the District 87 special election has finally been scheduled. I wish it had been sooner, so our residents would be fully represented during the upcoming legislative session. But it is what it is, and I look forward to talking with voters about the many serious issues we face. I'm in it to win it."
Levites released the following statement about the special election:
"District 87 will have no advocate in the Florida House during the entire 2026 legislative session. That's not leadership; that's neglect. That's not freedom; that's failure. District 87's voters - Democrats, Republicans, Independents and everyone in between deserve better than excuses. They deserve action. Let's seize this opportunity to elect real change: a centrist voice rooted in our neighborhoods. See you in Tallahassee!"
Critics say if the governor had called for a special election within days of appointing Caruso to the clerk of courts position, a primary and special election could have been scheduled earlier. The governor's office did not respond to a request for comment on that criticism.
The winner of the special election will have one advantage: they can run again in 2026 as an incumbent.
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Read the full executive order below:
