Ethan Prillman Builds a New Space for Young Democrats in Lake County

Ethan Prillman, founder of Lake County Young Democrats

For Ethan Prillman, an interest in politics began early.

“My interest in politics was always kind of there. I remember being a little kid asking my mom if I could stay up to watch the vote come in during Election Night 2016, but I couldn’t because I had school the next day,” Prillman said. That early curiosity eventually grew into something more serious following the 2024 election and the Harris–Walz campaign. Like many young voters, Prillman said the results left him discouraged but also motivated to get involved.

“After Election Night 2024, I was apathetic and sad in a lot of ways (as were many of us), which is natural, but I remember thinking that if our courts, our legislative chambers, and our executive branches are Red at both the state and federal level, the only way we can start making change is by doing everything we can locally, even in areas that feel impossible to do so.” That thinking pushed him toward grassroots organizing in his own community.

First Steps Into Activism

Prillman’s first political event came during the CD-06 special election while supporting Josh Weil for Congress. At the time, he was just 17 years old and unable to vote or donate to campaigns. “The first political event I attended was a sign waving for Josh Weil for Congress during the CD-06 special election. I was 17 at the time, so I couldn’t do the two things campaigns tell you to do, vote and donate, so instead I did everything else I could to make up the difference.” He initially arrived at the event unsure of what to expect, bringing extra handmade signs just in case they were needed. The first gathering was small, but he quickly realized how even a small group of volunteers could create visible enthusiasm. “It was the first time that I saw that Florida, even in its most rural areas, is not 100% Republican.”

Founding Lake County Young Democrats

Lake County Young Democrats board members: Fox Kuns (Treasurer), Pedro Esaki (Vice President), Ethan Prillman (President), Charlie Moon (Secretary)

After the campaign, Prillman connected with another young volunteer who pointed out something surprising: Lake County did not have a chapter of the Young Democrats. “After the campaign, I had gotten into contact with another young person in Volusia who had worked the Josh Weil campaign, and he was telling me that Lake County doesn’t have a young Democrats chapter. So, on a whim, I formed the Lake County Young Democrats chapter of the Florida Young Democrats.” The experience he had during the campaign convinced him that there were more politically engaged young people in the county than many assumed. “After seeing what I had seen on the Weil campaign with young people engaging, the odds of other disaffected young people out in Lake who would be interested seemed a lot greater than I used to think.”

Prillman said his family has been supportive of his political involvement, even though they hold different political views. “My parents are politically diverse, but they have always been supportive of my interests, including this one.” He described his mother as a fellow progressive and his father as a Republican who is still willing to listen and engage. “I actually convinced him to come to an event for David Jolly because I was speaking there. It's that kind of support that shows me how lucky I am to have the supportive family I do.”

When the organization first launched, reactions among local Democratic leaders and activists were mixed but largely encouraging. “Initial response was excited with most, cautious with some.” Over time, Prillman said support from the local Democratic Executive Committee has grown as the group established itself in the community.

Since its founding, Lake County Young Democrats has focused primarily on building membership and increasing its visibility through community events and grassroots organizing. “Since our first year, we have focused on membership growth and grassroots impact.” Because the organization started without much existing infrastructure, much of the work has involved creating new systems and building connections within the community.

Faith and Political Values

His Christian faith plays an important role in shaping how Prillman approaches politics and activism. “Being Christian has being a center point of my politics, but it has caused a divide between me and people close to me in some cases.” He said faith has also helped shape how he approaches political disagreements and social issues. “From my perspective though, it's given me a lot of nuance on how to live out a life with christlike values, like loving thy neighbor. In that spirit, I try to live out the gospel the way Christ did; through compassion, humility, and the courage to flip tables when injustice is done in God's name.”

Encouraging Other Young People to Get Involved

Prillman also hopes the organization encourages other young people to get involved in local politics, especially those who may feel isolated in their views or unsure where to begin. “You are always in good company, even if you don’t know it yet,” he said. “Find your local Democratic Party and find where they meet, look at any upcoming events, and invite your friends. Soon enough, ‘just’ you and your friends becomes a constant growing effort that won’t stop until it reaches its goal. All it takes is for one person to say ‘sure. Why not?’” For Prillman, grassroots organizing often begins with something simple—showing up and bringing others along.

One of the most important lessons Prillman has learned since founding the Lake County Young Democrats is to focus less on political math and more on building community. “If your pessimism is fueled by the registration deficit and lack of statewide infrastructure, you will drive yourself mad looking at the math of it,” he said. “The biggest lesson I have learned since founding LCYD was that the deficit matters a lot less than the community.” He believes consistent engagement and visibility can help shift the political landscape over time. “You prove them wrong by going out and participating despite those odds. More activity means more visibility which destroys the confidence that you aren’t relevant, but more importantly, it shows more people that you are,” he said. “ ‘Impossible upsets’ happen all the time in politics, but they don’t happen by the forces of nature. They happen by a deliberate effort to change something once seen as impossible.”

Looking Ahead

The organization’s goals for the coming years include growing membership and increasing grassroots activity across the county. “We hope to increase our membership and grassroots impact for our candidates, doing more events than we do meetings and doing monthly canvassing at least. We hope to show that Young Democrats are effective and present here in Lake County.” Beyond electoral politics, Prillman said the broader goal is to create a space where young people in the county feel welcome participating in civic life. “Ultimately, our goal is so that young people in Lake County know that there is a safe place for them, and that Lake County is not just one ideological pool.” For Prillman personally, the next step is continuing his education while staying involved in political organizing. “Right now, I’m working on getting my Political Science degree, so once I’m out of high school, that will most likely be my main focus.”

But he says the mission remains the same: helping more young people find a place in politics.