“This is amazing,” freshman 7th District Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy said to a capacity crowd at the Sem Dems Feb. 9 meeting, many of them squeezed into standing-room only spots in the back of the room, and others seated on the floor at the Lake Mary Civic Center. A change in voting schedules allowed Congresswoman Murphy a quick trip to the district that left her marveling at the size of the crowd and urging those in attendance to help transform the county’s politics in the aftermath of the divisive presidential election.
Long a “dark-red county,” Murphy noted that Hillary Clinton lost Seminole County by only one point in the Nov. 8 election, a sign of a changing political environment that also included Murphy’s stunning victory over 12-term Republican Rep. John Mica. “I can feel the tide is turning,” she said. “We are going to turn Seminole County blue.”
In the past three months, attendance at the SemDems monthly meeting has swelled to such levels that the Board has asked all attendees to help locate an alternate, centrally located and affordable venue. Since her election, Murphy, a political newcomer whose district includes all of Seminole County and part of northern Orange County, has been appointed to the Small Business Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. She introduced a bill (H.R. 804) to protect the National Security Council from political interference, following Donald Trump’s controversial decision to appoint his chief strategist, Steve Bannon, to the NSC. She says that bill is picking up co-sponsors.
She vowed to work to protect the Affordable Care Act, oppose Trump’s executive order on refugees, and she’s joined a bipartisan group committed to easing government gridlock and moving the country forward. She promised to speak out against racism and xenophobia, advocate for equality and compassion and bring a “common-sense” approach to government. “We all understand we cannot be passive citizens,” she said. “We have to have our voices heard.”
Republicans have already named Murphy’s seat as a target for the next election. Local efforts to knock on doors, register new voters, and increase the number of mail-in votes are critical for Democratic success in 2018, Murphy said. Nowhere is it more important to increase Democratic voters than here in Central Florida, given that the I-4 corridor is essential to winning the state of Florida, and Florida has proven pivotal in multiple presidential elections. “There should be a big stripe of blue in the I-4 corridor,” Murphy said. “We need to be out doing this now.”
The effort to organize begins with the Seminole County Democratic Party. Those who want to make a difference are urged to become precinct committee men and women for Seminole County’s 80 precincts. Each precinct is represented by one man and one woman, also known as precinct captains. Some larger precincts have two of each. In locations where the precinct committee spots are filled, those interested can become associate members. Precinct captains and associate members are asked to join one of the SemDems numerous committees, which include fundraising, events, membership, credentials, campaign activities, Young Democrats, communications and affirmative action.
The original scheduled speaker for the meeting, the local president of the American Civil Liberties Union, Chardo Richardson, was delayed in Tallahassee. A representative of the group encouraged SemDems to consult their web page to learn about their activities and seek volunteer opportunities.
The location of the March 9 general SemDem meeting will be posted to the events section of our website.