Democrats React to Trump Victory at Milwaukee Election Party

Hundreds of Hillary Clinton supporters who gathered inside J & B’s Blue Ribbon on Bluemound Road for her election night party on Tuesday sat nervously staring at the televisions and their smartphones.

“I think that it’s just really shocking that I’m seeing him leading in states that were for the most part democratic,” Democratic voter Kory Bradford said.

election night
People watch the election returns at the Democratic party. Photo by Aubryana Bowen.

Democratic supporters did not give up hope throughout the race. Gwen Moore, U.S Representative, was one of the many local leaders in the crowd.

“I do think that we’re going to be able to pull this thing together for Hillary Clinton,” Gwen Moore said. “I think it might be a long night, but I trust in the American people.”

But it was not to be.

A phone call to concede from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was all that America needed to seal the presidential deal. Donald Trump is confirmed as the 45th President of the United States of America.

“She congratulated us on our victory, and I congratulated her and her family on a very, very hard-fought campaign,” said Donald Trump in his victory speech.

election night
The room filled with people at the election night party. Photo by Aubryana Bowen.

To win, a candidate needs 270 electoral votes, and Trump exceeded that by gaining 279 electoral votes, and Hillary Clinton with 228 votes as of early Wednesday morning.

Trump took Florida, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Michigan, gaining electoral votes that took him over the top in the presidential race.

“I am actually shocked that there are many people rooting for Donald Trump for presidency. I did not realize he had this many supporters,” Democratic voter, Jerel Ballard, said.

Televisions were becoming more crowded as the bar became full of Democratic supporters. Everyone drank nervously, shouting over one another when the results of who won Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race filled the screens.

Supporters booed the screen when the anchors showed that the U.S. Senate winner was Republican Ron Johnson over Russ Feingold.

Music, food and laughter filled the room in the beginning of the presidential race but soon died down as the hours passed and the gap of the percentages got slightly bigger. With 98 percent of Wisconsin precincts reporting, Trump was at 49 percent and Clinton at 46. In the end, Trump won by 1 percent.

Even though the Hillary numbers were not where the supporters wanted them to be, other Democratic candidates had higher numbers and won their positions.

Gwen Moore won U.S. Representative by 75 percent for the Democratic Party. She showed a lot of joy and happiness for her successful win.

“I’m exceptionally proud that my constituents have decided to return me to the House of Representatives,” Moore said. “But you know the struggle continues, and I can’t do it all alone.”

David Crowley won a seat on the Wisconsin State Assembly as a Democrat. He was excited to have his name on the ballot.

“Win or lose, just seeing your name there is honorable. But to definitely win and represent the 17th Assembly district, I’m excited about it,”  Crowley said.

Some supporters found it hard to watch the presidential race, drinking and chatting to pass the time.

“I’m trying to stay as long as I can handle it,” Democratic voter Jeff said.

Now, the wait and nervousness is finally over. As of now, Donald Trump is set to take the oath on Jan. 20, 2017.