PHOTOS: 5 Election Parties in 2 Hours

My wife and I did the election-party scene last night, making stops at all five city council election parties while updating election results along the way. Our final stop was , where we ate some dinner and monitored returns until after they closed.  

At each party, I asked the candidates one question: “Regardless of how things turn out tonight, how does it feel to be done campaigning?” Scan the slideshow above to see each party. Here is our journey... 

7:30 p.m. - Lucas Frerichs in North Davis

“It’s a great process, but I’m really glad it’s over,” Frerichs told me. He applauded the Davis community for being so engaged an interested in what happens in town. Regardless of the outcome, he said he would be working a planning commission meeting the following day. As it turns out, he received the second highest total of votes and will be joining the city council. 

[My wife quickly voted at the Veterans Memorial Center before moving on to the next party!]

8 p.m. - Sue Greenwald in West Davis

We arrived at exactly 8 p.m., and Sue wasn’t there yet, so we chatted with the party’s host, Norma Turner, who has worked on elections with Sue for 12 years. As for the end of the campaign: “In Davis, it never ends,” she said. “This is an engaged electorate. They maintain an interest in what happens in this city." Greenwald was among the top-three vote getters, but don't be surprised if she continues to play an active role in the community. 

8:30 p.m. Dan Wolk in South Davis

Not only is Dan Wolk on the current city council, but he’s also an attorney in Solano County and the father of multiple young children. Add several months of campaigning to that, and you’re not left with much spare time. So how does Wolk feel now that the campaigning is over? “Very excited,” he said, and then turned his attention to the fact that my wife/photographer and I will be having a baby in September. Wolk was the highest vote-getter and will become Mayor Pro-Tem.

9 p.m. – Brett Lee, near Sycamore & Covell

Lee came into the race as the most unfamiliar name, and as a result had to spend “almost every day walking and making personal contact,” said his campaign manager, Richard Livingston. My wife and I ran into Lee on our way out the door and chatted briefly about the campaign: “I’m glad it’s done,” he said, noting that it probably took about four hours of his day, almost everyday. That's in addition to his full-time job. He said it was fun meeting people and great to work with the volunteers. Lee received the third-highest number of votes and will be on the council.

9:30 p.m. – Stephen Souza at Tres Hermanas

Souza was thanking everybody who helped his campaign by the time we arrived at . Results hadn’t been updated for hours. With the results still up in the air, we chatted briefly about the end of the campaign: “My whole life is a campaign,” he said. “A campaign for a better planet earth, a better life … All that would change for me is that I’m not longer an elected official.” In the end, Souza was not among the top-three vote getters and will no longer be on the council. 

Add your own photos by clicking the button below the slideshow. 

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