“We always said this was going to be a
razor-thin election and that’s exactly what it is,” Connolly said,
clearing his voice. He looked sweaty, pale and shaken. “If you ever
doubted for one moment the power of a single vote, well, tonight should
dispel that notion. Voting does matter.”
 
He didn’t concede — instead, he promised to make sure every vote and every absentee ballot was
counted. But those around him did. If not in quiet words, in their
faces.
 
“We’re not supposed to lose when we do everything right,” said
Jenna Lowenstein, communications director for the National Stonewall
Democratic Federation.
 
People began to cry, and I sat frozen, glued to my seat. I lost my breath and dropped my head. I couldn’t believe it.
 
Steve
Ryan and Jim Bishop of Bar Mills appeared in one of the televised ads
for the campaign. They have been together for 34 years and hoped to one
day be married in their home state.
 
“The same people who didn’t
want to give women the right to vote are the same people who don’t want
us to get married,” said Ryan.
 
Both of them stood tall and said they are determined to not give up.
 
“I feel very affirmed,” Bishop said. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of my community.”
 
The
room emptied and the cameras, lights, and media exited the building. As
the hotel staff broke down tables, one man sat motionless in his seat
in the middle of the room in tears.