Worry, then disbelief at Washoe County Dems event as Trump prevails

By Michael Olinger

Early Tuesday evening, at the Washoe County Democratic Party’s election watch party at the Grand Sierra Resort guests were prepared to ring in a Clinton victory. As returns started to come in, they grew reserved and apprehensive. Tented hands covered fearful faces.

With each new projection, bad news piled up: Ohio for Trump. North Carolina for Trump. Florida for Trump. With each call the crowd gasped. Spirits sank a little more.

Pam duPre, the Executive Director of Washoe Dems, was having none of that negativity. As spectators’ expressions betrayed an increasing sense of dejection, duPre countered with a smile.

“We have a room full of folks here and we’re on the edge of our seat just waiting for the announcement that Hillary Clinton has won the White House,” said duPre. “We look forward to the networks calling more states for Hillary. There are a lot of states out there that are too close to call.”

As the evening progressed, however, races in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, which were widely expected to end up in the win column for Clinton, remained too close to call. Slowly, Trump began to look like the victor. Still, hope sprang.

“I think it’s going to be a Hillary win, but the margin will not be as high as we had hoped,” said Clinton supporter Richard Block, who drove people to the polls during early voting.

The crowd let out a cheer as Catherine Cortez-Masto took an early lead in Nevada, where she was later declared the winner. That enthusiasm increased as California and Oregon were called for Clinton.

Then several more states piled up in the win column for Trump. His lead in the Electoral College grew considerably. People called their loved ones trying to figure out what was going on. They clasped hands, hugged. Some wiped away tears. For some, hope turned into despair.

duPre noted that this was not her first election. “We never assume anything until those final results are in,” she said.

By 11:30 p.m. The Washington Post and Associated Press had called the election for Trump.