(Dan Tri) - Supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris experienced many emotions, some smiles, some tears, as they went through a difficult election night.
Supporters of Kamala Harris attend an election night watch party in Seattle, Washington on November 5 (Photo: Getty). In the end, Vice President Kamala Harris never took the stage at the election night watch party at Howard University in Washington, DC. As Americans seemed ready to see former President Donald Trump return to power, Harris’ campaign co-chairman, Cedric Richmond, stepped in for the Democratic candidate. Richmond tried to deliver an optimistic message, noting that there were still many votes to be counted. But the scene was reminiscent of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s 2016 defeat, when her campaign chairman, not the presidential candidate, addressed supporters on election night. Among them were women and girls waiting for what many hoped would be a historic moment for America. Eight years later, they were still waiting. Richmond told the Harris crowd that they would not hear the vice president speak on election night. But he pledged she would return to campus to address supporters – and the nation – on November 6. Supporters of Kamala Harris wave flags on election night to cheer for the Democratic presidential candidate at Howard University (Photo: Getty). Election night began with high expectations. Doreen Hogans, 50, arrived at Harris’s election night watch party at Howard University on the evening of November 5 in a cautiously optimistic mood. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a string of pearls that had belonged to her late mother. She thought about how her mother must have felt as America’s first female, black vice president faced a historic moment. Many supporters of Ms. Harris danced at the start of the election results monitoring event at Howard University (Photo: Reuters). Harris’ supporters were hopeful. Music was playing. People were dancing. Michele Fuller, who attended Howard University at the same time as Harris, rushed to the event with a friend. “It feels incredible,” said Fuller, who helped campaign for Harris in Pennsylvania. “She did so well. And she’s more than qualified. I’m so excited,” Fuller said. Many people were stunned when following information about election results on their phones (Photo: Reuters). Students and supporters filled the lawn surrounding the stage set up for Ms. Harris to speak. “If you’re ready to make Black history, come talk to me,” the DJ called out. A somber atmosphere enveloped Howard University on election night (Photo: Reuters). As the evening wore on, the crowd occasionally celebrated the good news. Cheers erupted when Ms. Harris won her home state of California, which was not a surprise, but helped narrow her electoral vote deficit over her opponent, Donald Trump. Many supporters of Ms. Harris shared sad moments when they learned of the election results (Photo: Reuters). But the atmosphere quickly turned from celebration to fear. Attendees began checking their phones, staring at statistics that increasingly pointed toward a Trump victory. Sadness appeared on the faces of Ms. Harris' supporters (Photo: Reuters). Ms Harris's defeat in North Carolina - the first of seven battleground states - was unbelievable, but there was hardly any reaction from the crowd, only worried sighs. A supporter of Ms. Harris covers her face when hearing the election results (Photo: Reuters). However, the atmosphere became increasingly tense as the vote count did not go well for Ms. Harris. Many people began to leave, while others debated whether to stay and hear the vice president speak. In the end, there was no speech from the vice president. Tears of regret from Ms. Harris' supporters (Photo: Reuters). The mood was also somber in many other areas, as Harris' supporters expressed disappointment and the last glimmer of hope faded. For those who stood by the Democratic candidate's campaign, emotions seemed to burst, tears fell when Trump declared victory and would "make history". Many people expected a positive result for Ms. Harris in this year's election (Photo: Getty).
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