As the polls closed, the mood at the Taylor County Democrats election watch party remained hopeful, even as early returns pointed to a challenging night for Linda Goolsbee.
Party members came together not just for the numbers but to be in community with like minded people during the stressful night.
Goolsbee said the communal ties are key for local Democrats, “The Democratic Party, like any good business, concentrates its resources on the areas where it will win the most votes. I understand that. And so we kind of take care of ourselves. And usually that's not a problem.”
Despite the uphill battle, Goolsbee says she aimed to give a voice to locals who feel left out of traditional political discourse, “So I've just been enjoying the actual run itself. It's sort of like an actor who likes to audition but never plans to get the part.”
For Goolsbee, the race was an opportunity to lay the groundwork for future Democratic involvement in the district, "But it's possible to get just completely snowed under by negative unless you stop and actually choose to say, "Hey, things will get better."”"
In the end, Goolsbee got 21% of Taylor County’s votes to Lambert’s 79%.