Trump publicly endorses Republican Jon Maples for key race in Florida's 87th District
The race has also attracted significant financial attention as Republicans seek to retain the seat.
US President Donald Trump speaks at a "Champion of Coal" event at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 11, 2026. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
President Donald Trump on Monday expressed his endorsement of a Republican candidate in a high-profile special election in Florida, as doubts continue about whether the challenger actually resides in the district he seeks to represent. On Monday, Trump issued a strong endorsement of Jon Maples ahead of the vote for Florida House District 87, a seat in Palm Beach County that includes affluent communities such as Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Singer Island and Palm Beach.
"There is a very important Special Election tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24th, for Florida State House District 87 in beautiful Palm Beach County — JON MAPLES HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!. Jon is a very successful Businessman and Civic Leader, who is known and loved, and also endorsed by so many of my Palm Beach County friends, including by Great State Representative 'MAGA' Meg Weinberger. Jon will be a terrific Legislator! As your next State Representative, Jon will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Stop Migrant Crime, Safeguard our Elections, Support our Military, Veterans, and Law Enforcement, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
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Despite the endorsement, Maples has faced questions about his residency. The former Lake Clarke Shores commissioner hasnot previously represented the 87th District and recently acknowledged moving into an apartment in Palm Beach Shores. At the same time, he maintains a principal homestead exemption on a property located in Lake Clarke Shores, which is outside the district.
More than $1 million invested in the 87th District race.
For her part, Maples reported $41,272 in direct contributions during that same period. However, his campaign has been bolstered by considerable outside support, including $204,795 in in-kind backing from the Florida House Republican Campaign Committee and the Republican Party of Florida.
In total, Maples has raised $276,208 for his campaign, including a $14,000 personal loan, while outside spending tied to his candidacy has amounted to nearly $400,000.
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