Bexar County voters from both sides of the political divide watched the election of Donald Trump unfold Tuesday night and they had very different reactions.
At the campaign watch party for Congressman Will Hurd the crowd of Republican supporters loudly celebrated as the presidential results trickled in. It became clear that the polls had gotten it wrong and that Donald Trump would become the next president of the United States.
“I think the best way to describe it is - I told you so.” Wearing a “Make American Great Again” cap Kyle Hack said Trump found a forgotten constituency. “There’s really a silent majority – I know a lot of the times the polls may project ... but there, (it's) the media that is skewed. And there really is a silent majority that wants this country to go in a positive direction.”
Across town at the Paramour bar on the River Walk the mood was one of somber disbelief – and even tears. The watch party for Democratic challenger for the 23rd Congressional District Pete Gallego became a wake for Hillary Clinton’s presidential run.
“It’ll be a different time in America.” Kery Valderrama came to watch the election returns with his friends and was stunned by the outcome. “I thought that Hillary Clinton we going to lead in the polls in a very dramatic way – but that is not the case. And I am, in fact, shocked by the numbers that I am seeing.”
But Valderrama like the many other Democrats who were mentally processing the new political reality said he would accept Trump as president. And hope for the best.
