High hopes and nerves

Emotions are running high across the United States, and also in the homes of Swiss abroad, as the returns come in.

Matt Lehman of the Swiss-founded town of Berne, Indiana says that “we are Trump hopefuls and are hopes are still high. I am at a private party and the crowd is excited!!

The scene in a Berne, Indiana household courtesy of Matt Lehman

For Kirstin Kuenzi in Chicago, “The mood is NERVOUS! I know that it was expected for Trump to win so many southern states, but I still don’t like seeing so much red on the map. This is feeling more real than it did before.”

“The mood is mixed at the Brand household,” says Ed Brand in New Glarus, Wisconsin. “It looks as though the Republicans will hold the Senate so we’re thankful for that. As for the Presidential race, I get the feeling that Florida will go to Hillary so that ensures she’ll be President, but with the Republicans in the majority in the House and the Senate, she won’t be able to do too much damage. I hope she takes time to read the Constitution before she’s inaugurated.”

Other thoughts on Florida from Carolyn Schultz, also of New Glarus. “So far, the results for projected states aren’t surprising. We’re hoping Florida will swing Democrat, but it’s looking like that may not happen. Nail biting suspense. We’re hopeful overall.”

And in Somerville, Massachusetts, where Swiss abroad Maria Avila lives, the local liquor store is telling it straight to those fevering along with the election returns.

Courtesy Maria Avila