We took our live-stream show out on the road Tuesday night for a special Election Night version, paying visits to both the county Democratic and Republican headquarters. If you missed the show, you can catch the replay here.
From the mood of the two places, you'd never have guessed the outcome.
First up was the Democrats.
And first things first. You can tell they're moving up in the world. They held a party more in the style of their GOP counterparts, as opposed to the bare-bones events they've hosted in the past.
And the mood in Spasso's in Media matched their spirits.
Boosted by their big gains that have now given them a 600-vote edge when it comes to voter registration, the mood among Dems was decidedly upbeat. This was no longer the downtrodden, scraggly group with its tail between its legs, accepting their fate - another whipping by the GOP.
Chairman David Landau talked about the gains the party has made, and what he believed they needed to do to win.
You'd never know they were on their way to losing all seven countywide races.
On the other hand, after a quick trip down Baltimore Pike, we arrived at Springfield Country Club only to find the doors locked. As luck would have it, we arrived at the same time as GOP leader Andy Reilly. We eventually went in through a side door.
The GOP-arty last night was not in the big room where Republicans usually gather, but rather in a smaller room. There was no band. And there was a bit of angst in the air.
They know the numbers. They know the trend.
About 11 o'clock, smiles started returning to most of the faces in the room. Reilly took the mic and announced another GOP sweep.
But even Reilly, in his remarks, noted the strides the Democrats have made, and the challenge that lies ahead for the county GOP.
For now, they continue to rule the roost in the county courthouse.
They put incumbents Dave White and Mario Civera back on the County Council. They elected two new judges, Rich Cappelli and Chip Mackrides. And they also swept the three row offices up for grabs, with Jennifer Holsten Maddaloni becoming the first woman ever elected register of wills, Ed O'Lone winning re-election as controller and Mary McFall Hopper capturing the sheriff's post.
Another election night, another GOP sweep.
But you couldn't miss the idea that things in the county are changing. The GOP knows it, and they know they likely now will have to work harder than ever to keep their grip on the courthouse.
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