Camera crews were set up, and drinks were being served at the bar at the Indiana Republican Party.
The black fridge by the bar had two magnets on its front – an American flag, and a big “W” made of the stars and stripes from the 2004 election.
Two large televisions were showing elections results in the room – one of them tuned to CNN, and, on the other side of the room, one tuned to Fox News.
Joe Dutra, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, was in attendance at the Republican watch party.
Originally from Massachusetts, Dutra moved to Indiana a few years ago and said this his first election in his new state.
Bearing a blue and gold sticker supporting Secretary of State candidate Connie Lawson, Dutra attended the watch party to experience the Republican party’s presence in Indiana.
“The state government seems to run more efficient here,” Dutra said.
He said the state and property taxes are lower than in Massachusetts and that there’s a better quality of life.
He’d never met Lawson before the night, but did want to.
Isabella Billingsley, while sharing the same sentiment for the party, didn’t have the age and experience that Dutra does.
Glued to the media action unfolding before her, Isabella’s mother, Cindy, claimed that the 8-year-old didn’t want to miss a thing.
She was at the party “to see who wins.”
Another young Republican, 9-year old Rebecca Seiter, was at the party because she wanted to “see the votes,” and she wanted to see who ended up winning the election.
Her father, Dave, a commissioner with the Marion County Superior Courts, took Rebecca to the polls Tuesday morning.
“This was a good way to kind of round out the education and allow her to see what the outcome was,” Dave said.
Dorothy Kouroupis, another Lawson supporter, was at the event to “get around some good energy” and to see which conservatives, if any, would win.
She was also excited to be at the event because it was “one day closer to a new presidential election.”
Gov. Mike Pence had confidence in the outcomes of the night.
“I think tonight’s gonna be a great night for Indiana and a good night for America,” Pence said.
This story will be updated.
