Four students shared their reactions to the results of the presidential election.
Freshman Garrett Shonkwiler, sophomore Blake Lincoln, freshman Héloïse Schep and senior Alexa Mathisen
Senior Clinton supporter Alexa Mathisen
“The results were not at all what I expected. I don’t think the results were what anyone expected.
“I found out the results by watching various news channels and phone updates. On Election Day, I worked at Ami Bera’s office for a while then came home and watched the news with my family.
“Obviously I am very upset. There are many things I disagree with about Trump and I feel threatened as a Latina woman.
“However, Trump is our president elect and I will respect that position. There needs to be a peaceful turnover of power, for the country voted for him.
“I will be upset for a long while but am doing my best to look for the positives and do what I can do now and take action on now.
“At school, I am trying to be a role model for those who are upset about the results. I’ve tried to create safe spaces for people to discuss their feelings in different ways whether it be in the Latinx Student Union or MOGAI Meeting or in Political Puzzles.
Freshman Trump supporter Garrett Shonkwiler
“I woke up thinking that Clinton would win, and the best outcome for Trump would be a tie.
“As soon as school got out, I checked the polls, updated them, then updated them again. This was my whole ride home. I watched the election on TV non-stop from the time I got back.
“Right off the bat, I was surprised at how well things went. I didn’t think it was possible that Trump could be winning in Virginia (in the end, he lost there).
“The first few hours of the results were very close, right up until Wisconsin called for Trump. I couldn’t believe that Trump was winning in Michigan and Pennsylvania. The predictions had been drastically off!
“I attribute this to people all across the country afraid to call themselves Trump supporters. Trump had many shy voters that made a difference on the big day.
“I’m happy with the results of the election. The Republicans have Congress and the White House, which will, in turn, lead to a conservative Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is especially important because the Democrats won’t be able to tip it left for decades, regardless of the 2020 election results.
“For the first time in a long time, there will be party unity in Washington, and we can get things done.
“I worry about what kind of a president he will be. I suspect he is much more liberal than he lets on. Just a few years ago, Trump was a Democrat approving Clinton. He made a pivot when he decided to run as a Republican. I think Trump will pivot back on certain issues once he gets power.
“Ultimately, I am pleased with how things went. Trump is the better choice. He’ll make the next four years extremely interesting, as opposed to your typical politicians.
“It’s going to be an exciting couple of years.”
Freshman Clinton supporter Heloise Schep
“I went to bed before they announced Trump won, but I knew there was only a small chance Clinton would win. Even so, I was very shocked and disappointed to find out Clinton lost.
“It’s just very hard to see someone who you’ve supported for so long, and who has given so much up for this race, be beaten. Seeing all those swing states turn red was horrific.
“The day before, everyone I talked to was sure she would win. All my friends who I talked to this morning were very sad.
“Now the Senate and House are Republican too, and I’m just scared that everything Obama has worked towards will fall apart.
“I still don’t know Trump’s plans. He hasn’t done anything but shame Hillary.
“This vote tells us a lot about America right now, and I just hope people will still think for themselves and not just blindly agree with him. I’m very afraid, though.”
Sophomore Trump supporter Blake Lincoln
“I think this is a very decisive win not just for him or the party, but for politics in America going forward.
“He has won states that haven’t gone red since the first Bush and the Reagan administration. He won with Hispanics by the same margin as Romney and did better with blacks than both of the last Republican nominees.
“Altogether it was a big night for America and a new conservative populist movement and a sucker punch to the Washington establishment.”
—By Nicole Wolkov
