Primary Election 2010

Last night, Kirk and I were down at the Marriott for a military function. In the same hotel were Jack Conway and Greg Fisher, Democratic candidates for U.S.Senate and Metro mayor, awaiting the election results.

Being the political junkie that I am, I left the military party and slid quietly into the Conway gathering. I could feel the electric excitement as soon as I entered the room. The anticipation was tangible. I walked over to the television and saw that Conway had an 8 point lead at that point. I stood around, making small talk with strangers, watching the results crawl in. I watched people glad handing and chatting. I saw judges and former governors, state representatives and mayors. I saw young kids and old hats. There were black people and white people, people with disabilities, people with money and people without. It was a microcosm of society, and it was awesome.

At one point, I noticed a former Republican state senator, Lindy Casebier, being interviewed by one of the local stations. I made my way over to him and said, "What in the world are you doing in this room?" He turned, seemed to recognize me, and said, "I've seen the light, honey!" We spoke briefly, and after sharing political philosophies, I figured it was time to make my way back upstairs to the other party. As I turned to go, he said, "It was good to see you, Sharron." That was really cool for me that a former member of the Kentucky General Assembly knew me by name.

Kirk and I decided that the Conway party was much more fun than the military one, so we went back down and rejoined the festivities. By this time, the 8 point gap was closing. Six points, then three, then two. The tension rose. People crowded around the television. Rumors spread through the crowd. iPhones were checked. Someone was passing info from a laptop. Soon the word got out that the number of votes needed for Mongiardo to win was more than the number of votes left to count. Conway had won!

A roar erupted from the crowd. We watched the door for his arrival and acceptance speech. The campaign manager came on stage and said Jack would speak at 10:30. I called Kyle, who was watching the girls, and let him know Kirk and I were staying to hear Jack speak.

Around 10:30, Crit Luallen came out. She's amazing in her own right. What a dynamic lady! I totally admire her math and accounting skills!!! She spoke for a moment and then introduced Jack Conway. The crowd went wild when he came out. We were fairly close to the stage, and we had a great view. The electricity was popping in the room. I stood there and listened to him speak, and I literally had goose bumps up and down my arms. I thought to myself, "Remember this moment." Kirk asked, "Can't you see him running for President someday?" I really can, and as stood there, I felt like last night was the beginning of something really special.

Something in me woke up, and I was reminded once again why I just love politics. It's messy. It's brutal. It's hard. It's honest, and it's full of lies. It's people at their best and their worst. It is the people working together to govern themselves. To choose for themselves who they want to lead them. It is all these things, and it is totally amazing.