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Paul Diaz Truman of the Seminole County Democratic Party was surprised when nearly 50 people turned out for the organizations monthly meeting in December.

In a county long dominated by Republicans, the gatherings typically drew about a dozen or so residents. But after Donald Trump pulled off a stunning win to become president, a growing number of people 150 on average have been showing up and asking how to volunteer, he said.

Obviously, its related to Trump, the 31-year-old Oviedo tutor said. On almost every major issue the environment, education, health care Trump has hit a nerve.

Likewise in Lake County, where Republicans have long held every major office, a growing number of Democrats are attending party meetings and inquiring about volunteering, party officials said. Elsewhere in Central Florida, Democrats hold sway in Osceola and Orange, although Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs is a Republican.

Democrats have made inroads in recent years in Seminole but face a stiff challenge to translate a passion for politics stoked by Trump at the ballot box. Republicans have long held nearly every elected seat from city commission to the Legislature for decades.

Since 2004, the number of registered Democrats in Seminole has risen by 24 percent to 96,457, while the number of registered Republicans has risen by just over 1 percent to 109,314. But another 79,952 28 percent are in the growing no-party-affiliation category.

Hoping to build on that momentum, Seminole Democrats have started looking ahead to the November 2018 elections by recruiting volunteers, signing up precinct captains, registering people to vote and encouraging residents to run for office.

The election is still 17 months away, Truman said, but its not too early to build the partys infrastructure and prepare for the partys campaign to re-elect U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Winter Park, along with gaining two county commission seats and several state legislative contests. Murphy ousted longtime incumbent Republican congressman John Mica in November.

On Saturday, scores of Seminole Democrats also known as Sem Dems plan to knock on 10,000 doors throughout Sanford to sign up volunteers and recruit precinct committee members. Volunteers also will ask residents to sign petitions, including one for a proposed constitutional ballot amendment to restore voting rights to non-violent ex-felons.

In the coming months, Sem Dems plan to hold similar events in other Seminole neighborhoods.

The Democratic Partys efforts are not lost on Seminole Republicans.

We have taken notice of their initiatives, said Kathryn Townsend, chair of the Seminole County GOP. And we have our own initiatives, and we will be registering more Republicans. Were very strong in Seminole. But we certainly dont want to take any of that for granted. Were really counting on registering new voters.

Seminole GOP volunteers plan to attend community events through next year. The organization is also looking to recruit students from the University of Central Florida to register young voters as Republicans.

As in Seminole, Republicans hold nearly every political seat in Lake. And when longtime Democratic supervisor of elections Emogene Stegall retired last year, she was replaced by former state Sen. Alan Hays, a Republican.

Since 2008, the number of registered Democrats in Lake has risen by 5.4 percent, from 67,528 to 71,175, while the number of registered Republicans has risen by nearly 17 percent from 85,568 to 100,104. Voters registered with no party affiliation also make up a quarter of the electorate, 56,560.

But Lake Democrats vow a concerted effort to bolster their fortunes. Democratic chairwoman Nancy Hurlbert said the party has seen a consistent increase in interest since Trumps election.

Democrats held a knocking on doors event last month to encourage residents to run for local offices, including for city and county races, she said.

I think people are becoming energized by what they see happening across the country, such as the possible rollbacks of civil rights, the rolling back of a lot of emission standards, Hurlbert said. People are coming to us and say: What in the world are we going to do?

In Seminole, party leaders are encouraged by the recent burst of enthusiasm. The Lake Mary Community Center, where meetings are held, is getting cramped, and the party is looking for a larger venue.

By knocking on doors were hoping to build a big umbrella, Truman said. We dont have the money that the Republican side has, but we can win by having the power of the people on our side.

mcomas@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5718

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Confident Democrats plan large push within Seminole - Orlando Sentinel