Brian Caffarel
The North Carolina Democratic Party celebrated the night with its doors open, blasting “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by The Temptations. As party members danced and clapped, news media announced more wins on the television in the background. Incumbent Brad Miller, the final candidate to speak, walked through the Democratic House to an uproar of applause and U2’s “Beautiful Day.” Freshman in political science Andrew Bates worked on Miller’s campaign, and he said the race between Miller and Vernon Robinson, Republican candidate for the U.S. House, District 13, was one of the key races of the night. “Brad is the only one felt to have a seemingly legitimate challenger. That’s why he’s receiving this notoriety,” Bates said. David Foxx, an intern for the North Carolina Democratic Party and a junior in political science and history, said he thinks students need to get more involved with politics. According to Foxx, the decisions made today will affect students tomorrow, as adults. Laura De Castro, junior in political science and president of the N.C. Federation of College Democrats, said students need to start speaking out more. Tara Ilsley, a sophomore in political science and director of logistics for the College Democrats, agreed. “Now is the time for us to become politically active,” she said. Lara Spagnola, a junior in political science and member of the College Democrats, said the students involved in the Democratic party are “really active.” “We’ve been up till 4:00 in the morning [working on the campaign] some nights,” Spagnola said. “This is definitely worth it.” Democrats erupted in screams of triumph throughout the night, especially when Heath Shuler beat out Charles Taylor for a house seat. Graham Pitts, a campaign worker for Brad Miller, said the win was important to Democrats because Schuler’s win meant the Democrats, at that time, controlled seven seats to the Republican’s six seats representing North Carolina within the U.S. House of Representatives. The possible repercussions of constant rain upon the voter turnout was on the minds of Democrats. “The enthusiasm is high and even though it was a really rainy day, Democrats were really motivated to vote,” Schorr Johnson, communication director of the N.C. Democratic Party, said. Winners of U.S. Representative, incumbent David Price for District 4, and incumbent Bob Etheridge for District 2, also spoke during the night. “We’re going to get this country back on track by attending to the needs of the American people,” Price said. According to Etheridge, the Democratic victory was not just one over Republicans. “This victory tonight is a triumph of a hopeful future over a stagnant status quo,” Etheridge said. Miller said the people of North Carolina, by voting against Robinson, had clearly voiced their opinions on the issues, as well as Robinson’s stance, during the campaign. “What he represents is not who we are,” Miller said. Miller suggested Robinson heed a bit of advice, originally given by W.C. Fields. “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit,” Miller said. “There’s no point being a fool about it.” The crowd surrounding Miller erupted in applause and cheers, furiously waving campaign signs. “I hope what we are seeing tonight is a real change in our nation,” Miller said. “I believe tomorrow will be a new day, a day that I will sleep late, and a beautiful day.” As of 2 a.m. CNN projected the Democratic party to have taken control of the U.S. House, with the U.S. Senate still in contention.