The morning after Election Day brought shock and disbelief for Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign aides and allies, who found themselves grappling with a loss that few had anticipated would be so significant. The mood was somber, as those who had poured their energy into Harris’ campaign over the past several months tried to make sense of what had happened.
Emotional Toll on Campaign Staff
“Stomach in knots,” one source close to the campaign described. Another simply called it “terrible.” The Harris team had prepared for a tight race, with projections indicating a fight down to the wire in crucial battleground states. But the magnitude of Harris’ defeat took them by surprise. By Wednesday morning, the scope of the loss was becoming increasingly clear, leaving campaign members grappling with a new reality.
“I knew it was possible,” admitted a senior campaign adviser, referencing the potential for a Harris defeat. However, the shock set in when New Jersey, a traditionally Democratic stronghold, painted a bleak picture. “If you’re winning New Jersey by five? There’s something bigger at play here,” they added. In 2020, President Joe Biden had carried New Jersey by a commanding 16-point margin.
Confidence Evaporates Early
Leading up to election night, Harris’ campaign officials were projecting confidence. Internal data and reports from on-the-ground teams had suggested a close but winnable race. That optimism faded quickly as the results started rolling in. “It was gloomy,” a source explained, recalling the overnight atmosphere among campaign members. The turning point came with Pennsylvania’s results, which sealed Harris’ fate. “Pennsylvania was the nail in the coffin,” another source bluntly put it.
“The caveats won,” they said, alluding to Harris’ uphill battle. “She had all the headwinds. All the numbers were headed the wrong way for her.”
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Facing a Harsh Reality
For Harris’ aides, the emotional impact was intertwined with the practical considerations that come with a failed presidential bid. Many staffers began packing up their temporary residences in key states, pondering their future career moves. The looming uncertainty was palpable as they contemplated life post-campaign.
Harris herself is preparing to leave the Naval Observatory. By Wednesday morning, she had yet to make a public address. Her absence at what would have been her election night event at Howard University in Washington, D.C., only underscored the disappointment of the moment.
Vance and Trump Celebrate Victory
Meanwhile, Senator JD Vance, the incoming vice president, expressed gratitude. “THANK YOU!” he wrote, acknowledging his wife, President Donald Trump, and the American people. Vance, 40, emphasized his commitment: “I will never stop fighting for ALL of you.” His historic win as the first millennial vice president marks a new era for the White House.
