“And tonight’s gonna be a good night; tonight’s gonna be a good good night,”
The upbeat song “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas played from the speakers, setting the mood as attendees of the El Paso County Democrats’ election night watch party gathered in a meeting room in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ office on the Westside of Colorado Springs on the evening of Nov. 5.
Security guards were present, especially near the single entrance, and bags had to be approved to be taken in – prudent precautions given the national rise in political violence. Two counselors were available to talk with those experiencing election anxiety.
The party ambiance created by balloon displays – an American flag arrangement, and festive arches of blue and white – plus a thumping soundtrack, co-existed with the guards and therapists, and the real fears behind why they were there.
River Gassen – a first-time candidate running against Jeff Crank for Congressional District 5 – told the Bulletin she was feeling “ecstatic.”
“I think history is in the air,” she said.
Not yet 30-years-old, Gassen said she encountered “a little bit” of ageism during her campaign, but that she felt it was important to put younger voices into the political conversation
“Young people have the most at stake and the least say in government,” she said.
If she did not win that night, she said, it would not be the end of her quest to make change, asserting, “We need optimism. We need solutions.”
Amy Paschal, running for Colorado House District 18 against James Boelens, said she was “cautiously optimistic.” She credited her team for their hard work to reach voters. Boelens said that going door-to-door showed her “there’s a lot of fear out there” and a “need to focus on helping people out economically, and on mental health.”
Marc Snyder, currently serving in Colorado House District 18 and running for Colorado Senate District 12 against Stan VanderWerf, said he was feeling “so many emotions,” including gratitude for his campaign manager, volunteers and local supporters. He credited his years as a representative in Manitou Springs for honing his legislator skills and said that over years of public service he has worked to earn a broad base of support through outreach and listening to his constituents.
He expressed distaste for the negative campaigning from both sides and a hope that in the future political messaging would focus on “what candidates believe in and what they will fight for.”
Stephanie Vigil, running to keep her seat in Colorado House District 16 against Rebecca Keltie, expressed pride in her campaign team and said that getting out and talking to her constituents taught her how much common ground there is.
“I’m always amazed how much regular people, when you meet them where they’re at, these wedge issues fall away,” she said.
Vigil said she was looking forward to prioritizing housing access, transportation options and environmental protection in her second term.
Liz Rosenbaum, running for State House District 21 against Mary Bradfield, said she wanted to run to have the platform as an elected official to work more effectively on the issues she is passionate about, including access to clean water – a highly relevant issue in her district, where drinking waters are commonly contaminated by PFAS, an industrial chemical linked to several cancers and other health problems. She also wants to see a hospital built closer to her district to increase access to health services.
Attendee Jeanell Carlson-Bjorkman said she started volunteering for the Democratic party during the Obama campaign.
“I care deeply about this election, as many do,” she said. She did phone banking and wrote postcards on behalf of the Harris/Walz campaign. She said she was feeling “anxious and hopeful” as the results were starting to come in. She pulled up a meme on her phone that she said summarizes her feelings on the election results.
In it, a woman and a girl converse.
“But what if they lose?” asks the girl.
“Then we keep fighting for the rights of all people,” replies the woman.
“And, if they win?” the girl queries.
“Oh, dear girl,” the woman says, “it’s the same answer.”
