After the results were written on a white board in the Monroe County Democrats office, Elizabeth Schlemmer, county coordinator for Bill Bailey’s campaign, stepped forward to speak on his behalf.
“We had interns who went and worked a night shift at Starbucks after calling for us all day,” she said. “There are so many thanks to give, and as charming as he always is, Bill is in good spirits.”
The preliminary results showed 10,960 votes for Bailey and 21,525 votes for Rep. Todd Young, R-9th District.
The dozens of candidates, interns and community members applauded Schlemmer as she left the room. Bailey himself was at his own watch party hosted at his campaign headquarters in Seymour, Ind.
“I am proud to have had the opportunity in a free country to be able to run for Congress,” Bailey posted on his campaign’s Facebook page. “I have made many new friends throughout the district and I appreciate the support that I have received from everyone!”
Throughout the evening, the atmosphere at the Bloomington office had been optimistic. Volunteers made calls even after polls had closed. Roni Embry, a volunteer from Indianapolis and former lobbyist, was still dialing numbers up in Lake County, near Chicago, since the polls there were ?still open.
Others set up the buffet of turkey and butternut squash soup. They brought their dogs. They talked about work that day.
Upstairs, a dozen other interns and student volunteers sat on the floor, calling voters.
“’Til the bitter end,” a volunteer said as he started making another call.
Bailey explained how throughout the campaign he had seen his staff working to do as much as they could.
“Of course we’re disappointed in the results after 18 months of campaigning and the efforts of our many volunteers in the 9th District. We thought a low-voter turnout would be in our favor, but the almost two-to-one preference of voters favoring Mr. Young proved otherwise,” Bailey said on his campaign site after conceding the race to Rep. Young. “We congratulate Mr. Young and wish him well as he represents those of us who live in the 9th District for another two years.”
Victors and candidates who lost their races gathered in the office’s living room. They accepted their wins and defeats with gratitude for their managers and ?supporters.
As the clock hit 10 p.m., they grabbed their coats and bags and hugged each other goodnight.
“Next time,” some said.
