After the polls closed on election night, five different candidates held election parties within a three block area in downtown Carrboro. I was attempting to collect acceptance speeches from as many of the candidates as I could, so I went from party to party as the results came in.

My first stop was the election party for Eliazar Posada at Vecino Brewing Co. Posada was running for Carrboro Town Council.I arrived at 8:00 p.m. — early for an election party.The first vote totals dropped just after 7:30, giving Posada a commanding lead, but not enough results to declare victory just yet.

“Of course, you know, election’s not over yet,” Posada said. “There are still votes to be counted. I want to make sure every single vote is counted. But it just felt like we got this.”

He, and the Chapelboro News Team, were waiting for at least one Carrboro precinct to report before calling the race. In spite of the delay, the crowd of about thirty supporters was feeding off of Posada’s seemingly limitless energy. His brother DJ-ed in the corner of the room, while his mom walked around encouraging people to eat the food she prepared for the party. The gathering was eager and optimistic, but the news just wasn’t coming yet.

I left Vecino and headed down the block toward Carr Mill. Graig Meyer had just been declared the winner for the Democratic nomination for North Carolina Senate District 23. He was about to address his supporters inside the B-Side Lounge. I climbed the loading dock stairs and slipped in the door just as he was giving his victory speech. Meyer was also surrounded by a crowd of about thirty, but in a more intimate and subdued setting. He talked eagerly about the work he wants to do as a state Senator.

“Tomorrow we go back into legislative session, and to me that couldn’t be more fitting.” Meyer said, while standing at the front of the bar next to a large screen with election election results updating. “We go back tomorrow and we’re going to be working for Medicaid expansion, and raises for state employees, and trying to take on our adolescent mental health crisis, and so many other issues.”

Eliazar Posada speaks to the crowd at Vecino following the news of his projected election to Carrboro Town Council.

I left B-Side thinking I would check in at the Garson party, but I decided to see how things were progressing with Posada’s campaign first.  I walked in to find a slightly larger crowd. Then the news came. Everyone started cheering and whooping, the music stopped, and almost immediately Posada was on a chair addressing the crowd.

“Chapelboro has officially named me the next Carrboro Town Council-member,” he shouted.It is projected that tonight we made history. Tonight, I become the first openly gay Latino elected in the entire state.”

After his speech, Posada said, “I’m excited! It’s hitting me that this is going to be a great night not just for me, but for all my team. I’m ready to get started. I’m ready to hit the ground running and get some policies enacted for Carrboro.”

I left Vecino and started heading toward Jeff Nieman’s party, as he had just been declared the winner in the district attorney race. On the way I passed Jonah Garson’s party at Luna. The whole place was buzzing with nervous energy. Garson’s race against Allen Buansi for North Carolina House District 56 was shaping up to be one of the closest in recent Chapel Hill memory. Just across the street at 401 Main, the Buansi party was noticeably subdued. Supporters sat in small groups quietly talking while a few were grouped around a computer.

I could hear the Baxter Arcade before I could even see it. This was the most party-like of the parties. Most people were out front trying to get a picture with the freshly victorious Nieman. For his part, Nieman seemed exhausted and excited at the same time.

“Nobody really does any polling on this,” said Nieman, “[so] it’s like playing a basketball game where you don’t know what the score is until it’s over and you can’t do anything about it. You have to play like you are five points down the whole time no matter what, because you really don’t know.”

As I left the Baxter Arcade, I received word that Allen Buansi had just been declared the winner over Jonah Garson — the last race of the night to be called. Back at 401 Main, the previously reflective crowd was on their feet and cheering. Some members of the campaign were in tears as Buansi began his victory speech.

After his speech, he appeared to be a man still processing the rollercoaster evening he had just experienced.

“I’m just struck,” said Buansi.” I’m struck by the voters. I’m struck by our team, which includes my wife, of course. I’m just so happy to have this opportunity, this honor, this privilege to serve our district in this way.”

Allen Buansi stands outside 401 Main in the aftermath of his win in the NC House District 56 election.

And just three and half hours after the polls closed, the victors were declared and the parties ended. 


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