North Carolina readers celebrate wins, but expect results
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Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios
Pre-election anxiety has largely given way to relief and optimism among Axios readers in North Carolina who responded to our post-election survey.
Why it matters: Some respondents said the election results gave them hope for the first time in years.
The big picture: About 86% of respondents to last week's survey expressed exuberance, hope or relief following Democratic election victories.
- 10% described feelings of fear or dread.
- 4% were ambivalent.
What they're saying: We asked readers to describe their post-election mood.
- 😭 "Haven't felt this hopeful since Obama won his first election," says Anne S. in Davidson.
- 😁 "Good vibes all around. Elated," writes Jake D. from Durham.
- 🗳️ "A bit less skeptical about democracy overall," says Stephen E. from Rocky Mount.
- 🥹 "I literally cried tears of joy," Nance S. in Charlotte says. "I have so much hope for our country now, after such despair."
- 🤞 "Hopeful. Regardless of where anyone is on the political spectrum, unchecked power rarely brings positive outcomes to the masses," says Patrick C. in Davidson.
- 🔵 "Happy to see younger voters become engaged. We are a blue state!" Peter D. from Durham says.
- 🤗 Gene T. in Raleigh is "serotonin maxxing."
- 🍼 "Grandchildren's world just improved," writes Jean D. in Charlotte's Cotswold neighborhood.
- 🗺️ For Missy S. in Indian Trail, it is "encouraging to see the efforts of Republicans to" gerrymander thwarted by voters.
- 🤣 "I am cautiously optimistic that change is on the way and this horrible orange saga is finally coming to an end," Karen S. in Charlotte's NoDa neighborhood says.
The other side: The blue wave disappointed some.
- 😧 "I'm afraid of how many socialist candidates have won. I think it's an over correction and it worries me," says J.R. in Charlotte's Plaza Midwood neighborhood.
- 📉 "Economy will crash," Jim H. in Charlotte fears.
- 😡 "Truly a horrible day in America as far as I am concerned. We need to bring God back intro our country, schools and the workplace," Sawyer M. writes from Charlotte.
- 🗑️ "This country is going to hell in a handbasket," writes Gina D. in Concord.
- 😩 "Both parties need to start listening to the moderate middle," Rae N. from Huntersville says.
Between the lines: Others had mixed feelings.
- ⚖️ "In our small rural area I am sure there are competing feelings of euphoria and despair," writes Ralph G. from northern Orange County.
- 🤼♀️ "Politics is a rigged game similar to WWE," Tee W. says from LoSo in Charlotte.
- 🤷 "I like knowing that the chambers aren't controlled [by] Republicans rubber stamping Trump's agenda, but I also don't have much excitement because I don't believe the Democrats will do much," says Reagan P. from Durham.
Zoom in: Some optimistic readers also expressed concerns about what comes next, including the implications of three GOP-backed constitutional amendments.
- 🌊 Heather M. in Charlotte described her mood as cautious jubilation. "Thrilled at the blue wave, but we're still stuck with Trump."
- 😕 "I have a small fear that our new folks in power will start investigating everything (which does need to be done) but not make changes that will help everyone," says Joanne d.B. in Raleigh.
- 🏛️ "Come January it's time to govern. The people have spoken! Now get the job done!" writes Bruce H. in Charlotte.
- 📦 "Democrats better DELIVER in the next 2 years" says Sharon M. in Emerald Isle.
- 😪 For Max N. in Chapel Hill, feelings of excitement and disbelief mix with "fear that congressional leadership will squander a historic moment."
The fine print: 406 readers responded to the survey, which was shared with Axios readers in Raleigh and Charlotte.
What's next: Several key races remained uncalled a week after Election Day, including four congressional contests and a North Carolina Senate race that will determine control of the chamber.