Republicans, including Auditor Mike Foley, attend a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel.
For Elizabeth Struwe, the 2024 presidential election was about having a leader who will put the American people first. For Tessa Faust, it was a matter of safeguarding the rights of Nebraskans.
Hundreds of Lancaster County residents attended the Republican and Democratic campaign parties in downtown Lincoln on Tuesday night, expressing optimism and apprehension about what the results could mean for the future.
As of Wednesday evening with 97% of votes counted, Donald Trump had won 60.2% of the vote in Nebraska and secured an Electoral College victory, according to the Associated Press. Trump expanded his vote share in the state from when he ran in 2020, outpacing Kamala Harris by nearly 22 percentage points, as opposed to his 19-point victory in the state over Joe Biden four years ago.
Harris still carried the more heavily populated areas of Lancaster County and Douglas County, as Biden did in 2020, but she did so by smaller margins.
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In Lancaster County, the number of votes for Trump was nearly identical — 70,076 votes this time around compared to 70,092 four years ago. But Harris underperformed compared to Biden, receiving 75,163 votes compared to Biden's 82,293 votes in 2020.
Struwe, 22, attended the Nebraska GOP’s election night party at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. A Lincoln resident and student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she said Trump was a better presidential candidate because he cares more about the American people than his opponent.
“He loves our country,†said Debbie Struwe, 62, Elizabeth Struwe’s mother.
Faust, 26, a Lincoln resident who attended the Democratic party at DelRay 817, said the election could affect the rights of certain communities in Nebraska and feared that the presidential results could make people leave the state.
A member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska who will be moving out of Nebraska soon, Faust said she worries Native American rights will suffer under Trump, something that would affect her willingness to return.
“I love Nebraska and I love the people. I want it to be a state that, if I choose to have kids, (they) will be safe, whether they're women, queer, Native American, or others,†Faust said.
Elizabeth Struwe, although rooting for a different candidate, also said future Nebraska generations were important in this election.
“The vote that I (cast) today is going to affect another generation to come, and my vote today was my love for my future generation more than my hatred for the other side," Elizabeth Struwe said.
Debbie Struwe (from left), Kathy Ponte-Hamersky, Collette Hamersky, Elizabeth Struwe, Susan Garcia and Kim Miller pose for a photo at the Nebraska GOP's watch party in Lincoln on Tuesday.
Local impact
Gary Brakhage, 73, of Lincoln, said he was concerned that Nebraska factories had shut down during the Biden administration.
“Lincoln, Nebraska, don’t seem to be interested in putting people back to work,†Brakhage said.
He also said Trump will stand up to corporate America and fight for Americans' jobs. He said Trump has a plan while Harris did not.
Tony Tozser, 41, of Omaha, said he is traditionally a libertarian. However, this was his first election as a registered Republican.
“I changed my registration to the Republican Party after I saw how the Democrats were using lawfare to, you know, persecute their political opponents,†Tozser said.
For Tozser, the presidential election matters less for local issues and is more about the “30,000-foot view.â€
“As far as how the national election would impact our everyday life, I'm hoping that it means we have lower prices, a border that's more secure and communities that are safer,†Tozser said.
Chuck Grubb, 67, of Blair, said America needs to unite despite political differences, but compromise is hard to come by.
“Now there's such a big chasm, in that it's just become so divisive, and that's why I think that this particular election ... there's still going to be that chasm there,†Grubb said. “And you have to hope that (Trump) kind of closes that gap so that people can see that, 'Hey, we can do this all together.'â€
Andrea Evans, 60, of Lincoln, was cautious as the results rolled in Tuesday night, but hoped that community progress can still be made.
“I feel hopeful for our future,†Evans said.
Photos: 2024 Election Day in Lincoln
Daily Nebraskan photographers Emma DeShon (left) and Izzy Lewis send photos to their news desk during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at the Delray 817.
Lincoln City Council member Justin Carlson (from left), Liz Ring Carlson, Lancaster County Commissioner Christa Yoakum and her husband John Yoakum, a member of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District board, chat during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at the Delray 817.
Lincoln City Council member Justin Carlson (from left) and Liz Ring Carlson speak with Lancaster County Board Commissioner Christa Yoakum during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at the DelRay 817.
Joanna Davis-Yoakum wears earrings encouraging people to vote during a Democratic watch party on Tuesday at DelRay 817.
Members of the Lancaster Democratic Party congregate during an election night watch party Tuesday at DelRay 817.
Chelsea Richardson (center right) points to a board projecting election results to Kyle Carson (right) both of Lincoln, at a Dan Osborn watch party at Embassy Suites in La Vista on Tuesday.
Incumbent state Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln (center) talks with her mother Debbie Curry of Columbus (right) at a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Cornhusker Hotel.
Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward (left) talks with incumbent Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln at a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Cornhusker Hotel.
District 27 legislative candidate Dawn Liphardt of Lincoln attends a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln.
Republicans, including Auditor Mike Foley, attend a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel.
Susanne Shore looks on her husband, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, speaks during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
Cardboard cutouts of Tim Walz and Kamala Harris are set up at a Democrat watch party Tuesday at Delray 817.
Benita Casas wears a cat mascot head while enjoying a Democrat election night watch party on Tuesday at Delray 817.
Democratic Party members congregate around a photo area with cardboard cutouts of Tim Walz and Kamala Harris during an election night watch party Tuesday Delray 817.
Michael Marcheck poses for a portrait in front of a photo area during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at Delray 817.
Chris McCoy (left) and Laura Heine chat during a Democrat election night watch party on Tuesday at Delray 817.
Rep. Adrian Smith speaks during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer talks to supporters during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday. She won her bid for a third term.
Rep. Don Bacon talks to supporters during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln political science sophomore Leo Sabbini gets ready to make a phone call next to 1st District Rep. Mike Flood at U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer's campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts (from left) and 1st District Rep. Mike Flood talk with U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer as volunteers make calls at a phone bank drive at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
First District Rep. Mike Flood and U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer talk with supporters at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts (left) talks with Sen. Deb Fischer at Fischer's campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln. The two stopped by to talk with volunteers on Election Day as they made calls to voters.
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts talks with supporters at Deb Fischer's campaign office on Election Day in Lincoln.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer talks with supporters at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln. Volunteers were making phone calls to voters on Election Day.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and 1st District Rep. Mike Flood carry pizzas for volunteers making phone calls at Deb Fischer's campaign office in Lincoln on Election Day.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (right) talks with supporters, including Darlene Starman of Lincoln, at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (left) and 1st District Rep. Mike Flood talk with volunteers at Deb Fischer's campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
Voting stickers are available on a table to voters at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln on Tuesday.
Chris McCollister (left) votes along with others Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
Lake Schulke casts her vote on Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
A cutout of Jesus watches over voters on Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
Voters cast their ballots Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
Katie Goeling (right) fills out her ballot while her son Gunner, 4, holds her hand during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
Katie Goeling (left) fills out her ballot while her son Gunner, 4, holds her hand during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
Katie Goeling (center) fills out her ballot while her son Gunner, 4, holds her hand during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
Election official Bob Snider works during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
Toussaint Barrett votes Tuesday at F Street Community Center in central Lincoln.
Abigail Webb votes on Tuesday at F Street Community Center.
People line up to vote Tuesday at F Street Community Center in central Lincoln.
Rep. Mike Flood speaks during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
Rep. Mike Flood speaks during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
