Decision 2024: Central Oregon voters, party officials react to the outcome of the presidential race

(Update: adding video, comments from Republican, Democratic officials, community members)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- With the last ballots being counted, Central Oregonians, including representatives of the two major political parties, have been sharing their reactions to the local, state and federal election results.

For many, the stakes were high in this election. 

Contessa Mendoza, the director of outreach with the Deschutes Republican Party said, "Of course, we're excited. Of course elated! But I think that all of us feel a sense of justice."

"I think that America said we want to be unburdened by what has been," she said. "America has said it is time for us to turn the page. It is time for a new way forward."

Deschutes County voters at the Republican Watch Party weighed in on why they're content with the result.

Voter Matt Cyrus said, "From a national standpoint, it’s certainly encouraging to see what the next four years will look like."

The economy was a hot-button issue for Republicans.

Deschutes County voter Robert Graves said, "We’re in very bad shape right now. We have housing that people can’t afford, food we can’t afford, $5 for milk - a half-gallon! It’s ridiculous."

On the flip side of the coin, the election brought less than favorable results for Democrats at the national level.

Judy Stiegler, a former state lawmaker who's now political science instructor at OSU-Cascades and COCC, said, "I was a little bit aghast. I knew it was going to be close, but I didn't envision that it would go the direction it did , as strongly as it did."

Eileen Kiely, vice chair of the Deschutes Democrats, said, "A lot of our neighbors are concerned there are a lot of awful things said about people during the election, and we see that the majority voted for it. That is their choice."

But Democrats in Deschutes County said they consider the elections at the state and local level a win, with several successful candidates.

"We swept last night locally, so I think that's a sign that Central Oregonians really feel that they want to work together as a community," Kiely said.

Kiely says working across the aisle was one of voters' top issues when she was knocking on doors this campaign season.

Stiegler added, "Everybody isn't the same, but we are representing everybody. You don't - when you're elected, you just don't represent one one party or the other. You represent everybody."

Election Night Coverage:

Drivers were lining up at a ballot box in Bend's Old mill to cast their votes for federal, state and local races. One of the races at the top of many people's minds is the Fifth Congressional District race between Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-Deremer and Democratic challenger Janelle Bynum.

This district is considered a "purple district" that could have a direct impact on which party has control over the U.S. House. The district encompasses parts of Portland and Deschutes County, meaning Central Oregon has a large role in the outcome in this election.

Local resident Cindy Lindsey expressed anxiety over the election, saying, "I'm really nervous." She continued, "For federal elections. I think, the last nearly four years have been financially really difficult, and it would be hard to go back to that. But by the same token, it's also hard to go back to. The four years before that with a certain level of aggression and a lack of diplomacy. Like, how do you choose?"

Dozens of drivers lined up to drop off their ballots. Nearby construction workers said at some points during the day, cars were wrapped around the block.

5:40pm Update

At the Deschutes County Republican Watch Party at the Eagle Mountain Event Center, Party Chair Scott Stuart said they were optimistic about the evening ahead.

6:40 Update:

Doors opened at about 5:45 p.m. and the room is already filled with over 100 people and more seem to filling the room. 

Energy is high tonight, with a kick-off ceremony that included a group prayer, the pledge of allegiance, the national anthem, and a highlight reel of the presidential candidate, Donald Trump. 

Some folks were singing along with the National Anthem 

So far we’ve seen candidates such as Oregon House District 53 candidate Keri Lopez and Bend City Council candidate Johnathon Curtis. 

Other prominent Republicans on hand tonight include Deschutes County commissioners Patti Adair and Tony DeBone. 

10:00pm Update

Voter Troy Smith said, "Most of us on both sides are thinking, half stomachs want to go anxiety and half wants to be excited. No matter what side you're on, I personally feel bad for the loser and I'm happy for the winner. Today, I feel like we're on the winning side."

Voter Ryan Stern said, "Regardless of what happens tonight, there are a lot of people that will be happy and a lot that will feel like their world is ending. Regardless of what side that is, my hope for everybody is that we can find a way to come together, unite shared values and humanity that bring us closer."