I’ve never felt more energy in a room than at Jon Ossoff’s election night party. There were drinks, food, people were dancing, plenty of press coverage, and tons of happy smiles. There were people of all ages, from babies to people over 90 years old. It was an enormously diverse crowd. Not to mention it was completely PACKED. Seriously, you could hardly walk through all the people. All these things were promising signs. We were all soaring with confidence.
The bulk of the party was spent chit chatting with everyone. Everyone was elated, talking to any and everyone who was near them. The music was great. It almost felt like I was at a club… is that even okay to say? Drinks were flowing, Chris Brown, Michael Jackson, Rihanna, even The Chainsmokers were blasting throughout the main room where people were dancing. While Jon was up in the polls, “I Got A Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas, and “Happy” by Pharrell were booming through the speakers. To say it was lit is truly an understatement.
CNN was playing on 2 giant screens giving somewhat live updates on this election. People with the more accurate live updates on their smartphones became the celebrities of the night, because everyone was crowding around them as they read off numbers. Every time Ossoff was up, the room erupted in cheers. That was to be expected. But the truly amazing thing was that even when Handel was winning, everyone kept smiling. Sharing words of encouragement with one another. There were tons of spontaneous “Flip the sixth!” chants. Everyone would go crazy when CNN would show US on the screen! We were having a blast. We didn’t even acknowledge Karen Handel’s party when it was up on the screen. There was literally no way it could have been more fun than ours.
I noticed something strange throughout the night. People I was casually conversing with were asking me “so do you live in the sixth?”. I thought this was odd. I’d tell them yes and that I’d voted earlier that day and they’d get all excited. Some lived there as well, but many lived outside the district but were just as passionate about Jon Ossoff. It didn’t really hit me until I met 2 people who had flown in from Wisconsin (!!!!) just to be there in support last night. I also met people who traveled all the way from Texas and Florida. This race has stretched far beyond Georgia and my little district. He has people far and wide who believe in him. Let’s not forget that this was a vote for Congress, not just the state of Georgia. His nationwide support just further demonstrates that people in this country want change. Believe it when they say this was more than a campaign … it was a movement.
Everyone remained positive the entire night. John FREAKING Lewis was there in support, and gave an incredibly inspiring speech. As the final numbers were rolling in and CNN projected a Handel victory, Jon came out to give his concession speech. He was just as composed and respectful as always. He left us on a hopeful note. The fact that a democrat almost beat a republican in a republican district in a republican state is incredible. Besides, that seat is up for grabs again next November. Nobody get too comfortable!
All in all, it was a fantastic night. There is nowhere else I would have rather been. Congrats to Karen Handel. I feel a spark and a new sense of hope, something I didn’t think I would feel given this outcome. We crazy liberals will never give up!
