Though local democrats looked to be losing in their own races in Election 2012, when national news outlets projected President Barack Obama the winner of Ohio and thus the election around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday night, all feelings of personal disappointment and anxiety disappeared at a Southold Democratic gathering at Front Street Station in Greenport.
"I feel like it's a great night for the country," said Jeri Woodhouse, who was behind in her race for Southold Town Trustee at the time of Obama's win. "We made a great choice on a national level, and I feel like I ran a great race with terrific support, I'm looking forward to more women getting involved in politics locally."
Leslie Weisman, chair of the Southold Town Zoning Board of Appeals, said she felt like she'd been wearing a corset of anxiety over this whole election.
"And now I can breathe," she said.
"I'm very happy," said Democrat Dan Horton. "But I really didn't think he'd lose — because Obama is coherent. Romney flip-flopped on everything he said. I don't think anyone really knows who Romney is."
"I feel overjoyed and relieved right now — I don't even know what it would feel like to have Romney as president," said Democrat Marie Domenici.
Democratic chairman Art Tillman said that despite losses on a local level, he said he felt the local democratic party was gaining strength.
"Sometimes, things take a long time, like a dentist scraping teeth," he said. "We will beat these guys."
